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V ./X THE™E f . ’ F/ . Life of Father Bernard,^

MISSIONARY PRIEST

OF THE

Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

THE AFOSTOLATE OF A REDEMPTORIST.

BY P. CLAESSENS, \ i Canon of the Metropolitan Church of Mechlin. ,

“Seest thou that faith did co-operate with his works: and by works faith was made perfect ? ”—St. James ii. 22.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH,

NEW YORK: THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY, 9 Warren Street.

1875. .. %

« Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by THE CATHOLIC PUBLICATION SOCIETY,

Jii the Office of ihe Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. CONTENTS,

PAGE. Introduction,. • 7

I. Bernard’s Childhood,. 17 II. Bernard’s Education at Hageveld, . 24 III. Bernard enters the Roman College, . 29 IV. Bernard is ordained Priest, and receives the De¬ gree of Doctor of Theology, . . . . 39 V. Religious Vocation. He enters the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, . . . . 46 VI. Father Bernard’s Professorship at Saint Trond. His Apostolic Career in Belgium, 62 VH. Father Bernard’s Apostolate in Holland, 85

VHI. Father Bernard’s First Voyage to America, lOI IX. Father Bernard resumes his Apostolic Labors in

Belgium,. III , X. Father Bernard’s Apostolate in the United States, . 116 XI. Father Bernard’s Apostolate in the United States, continued, . .. 124 XH. Apostolate of Father Bernard in Great Britain and

the Netherlands,. 131

XHI. Father Bernard as Priest and Religious, 137 XIV. Father Bernard’s Tender Devotion to the Mother of God,. . 147 6 , Contents.

PAGE. XV. Father Bernard’s Last Illness and Hol)^ Death, . 157 XVI. General Observations on the Work of the Missions, 177

APPENDIX.

A. Testimony given to Father Bernard by the Rector of the Roman College,.193 B. Explanation of a Passage in the Letter of the Most Rev. Father Passerat,.194 C. The Convent at Wittem. Father Bernard in the Netherlands,.197 D. Missions of the Redemptorists in Holland, . . 202 E. Fathers Passerat, De Held, and Dechamps, . . 215 F. Letter of the Rev. Father de Held, Provincial of Bel¬ gium, to the Rev. Father Victor Dechamps, Rector of the Redemptorist Convent in Liege, . . . 228 G. Notice of Father Poilvache, by Rev. Father Gillet, . 244 H. Mission at Heiken,.250 I. A Few Observations relative to the Work of the Mis¬ sions, .255 J. Oratio ad Matrem Divini Pastoris, utiliter dicenda a Patribus in Visitatione Beatissimae Virginis, Tem¬ pore Missionis,.266 K. Account of Father Bernard’s Third Voyage to Ame¬ rica, given in a Letter from Rev. Father Dold to the Father Rector of the Convent at Wittem, . . 269 INTRODUCTION.

' j ''HE author of this sketch begs the kind in- dulgence of his readers for introducing at the outset an incident of his early ecclesiastical career. While pursuing in the Catholic univer¬ sity the studies which he had commenced in the seminary, it was his custom to devote a part of his academic vacation to visiting hamlets and villages, particularly those in which he hoped to collect some details interesting to him as a priest, and to become acquainted with the re¬ ligious life of the inhabitants of the country. In the summer of 1841 he accompanied an ecclesiastic of Northern Brabant to the ancient barony of Breda, and while there enjoyed the kind hospitality of the venerable prelate who then governed the Diocese of Breda in the ca¬ pacity of vicar-apostolic. 8 Introduction.

Mgr. Van Hooydonck delighted to speak of the excellent spirit of the inhabitants of those parts, who remained profoundly Catholic, not¬ withstanding the harassing war of persecution which Calvinistic intolerance had waged against them from the time of William the Silent until the reign of good King Louis. “And this tra¬ ditional spirit of our fathers,” he added, “ is reanimated to-day by the zeal of my diocesan clergy, and by the apostolic labors of the sons of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori. “ Not many years ago the religious habit was entirely unknown here, and even our secular priests met with many difficulties. It is now no longer so. Thanks to a beginning of justice on the part of the existing government, we enjoy sufficient freedom of worship, at least in the in¬ terior of our churches, and we are, moreover, allowed to save souls by means of retreats and regular missions, which are conducted by the fathers. “ The Redemptorists have accomplished for us incalculable good; they are, I assure you, the fishers of men, priests of holy skill in draw¬ ing the multitude to the altar, masters perfect in Introduction. 9 the art of healing souls in the tribunal of pen¬ ance, and guiding them in the path to heaven,

‘ not in loftiness of speech^ but in the showing of the Spirit and of power.' ” The following day the Bishop went to a populous parish in the deanery of Berg-op- Zoom, to preside at the closing of a mission which had lasted for ten days, and he wished to procure us the pleasure of witnessing this touching solemnity. Happy at receiving the invitation, we repaired to the place, and, having made the acquaintance of the pastor through Mgr. Van Hooydonck, we were seated in the sanctuary of the church-, which we found thronged with the faithful de¬ voutly reciting the rosary. The prayers being concluded, a priest, still in the prime of life, ascended the pulpit. He was a religious, armed with his mission cross, whose mere aspect impressed me deeply. It was the same father whose portrait I had seen in many Brabant families, and of whom they related many marvellous things. That majestic bearing, that intellectual and manly countenance, that noble brow, that burning look which he cast on the 10 Introduction. assembly, as if measuring the field of an impend¬ ing battle, that solemn sign of the cross, and the sacred words, “ Behold, thou art made whole; go and sin no more,” followed by an address, or rather a long discourse, delivered in a vibrat¬ ing, clear, and singularly sympathetic voice, with manly gesticulation and expressive action, which placed before us a living representation of the celebrated Peres Bridaine and Beauregard—all so deeply impressed me that more than thirty years have not been able to obliterate the remembrance of the scene. I shared the emotion of the peo¬ ple, and thanked God for having given such power of word and work to one of his servants. The discourse itself was not lofty, “ Noxi in sublimitate sermonis.'' but was truly apostolic. I have never heard another popular preacher rising to such a height of eloquence and speaking so well to the point. This priest, whom I heard for the first time in the church of Steenbergen, and whom I had the happiness to hear afterwards on many occasions, both in humble country churches and in the more magnificent ones of large cities, was none other than the compatriot, the old schoolmate, and in- Introduction^ II

timate friend of my professor, Dr. John Theo¬ dore Beelen; it was Bernard Joseph Hafken- scheid, better known as Father Bernard, of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. To form an idea of Father Bernard’s elo¬ quence, it would be necessary to be present at his sermons. It is said that eloquence proceeds from the heart; as for him, the heart was love of God, of the Church, and of souls. Scarcely had he pronounced his text, when all eyes were fixed on him, his hearers listening to him because they^ understood him. He commenced calmly, but by degrees grew animated, and, on coming to the main point of his subject, he abandoned himself without restraint to the impassioned flights of his zeal and of his gifted soul. It was the Gos¬ pel, it was the Fathers, Jesus Christ, the Church, that spoke by his mouth. The sublime truths of faith, the eternal maxims, assumed, as it were, a living form in energetic and manly language, in expressions sometimes incorrect and unpolish¬ ed, but always plain, and occasionally border¬ ing on the familiar. His style was marked by certain , peculiarities which did not always accord with the rules of oratory, and which 12 Introduction.

would not always please, if in sacred elo- quence there were question of any other art than that of saving souls, in which he certainly excelled. At times silence and gesture alone spoke more forcibly than words. The orator knew the most hidden recesses of the human heart, and seemed by his penetrating look to read one’s inmost thoughts. Sometimes he ter¬ rified the conscience by portraying the everlast¬ ing punishments that divine justice had in reserve for the hardened sinner; again he inspired con¬ fidence and hope by describing the divine mer¬ cies and the joys of heaven. He was not satis¬ fied with abstract or vague ideas, but, insisting on the truths of Christianity, he taught the practice of virtue without any modification or exaggeration. He attacked with vehemence some particular vice, as blasphemy, intemperance, and similar scandals, ^and was so skilful in in¬ spiring a horror for sin that even those who came to the church through curiosity, or with evil dis¬ positions, were frequently seized with remorse, and felt the first operations of grace. As soon as he saw his audience in tears (and it is said he possessed an especial talent to effect this when Introduction. n

he wished) he grew more animated, he redoubled his efforts, for he knew that the moment of vic¬ tory was at hand. He no longer made use of threats or of gloomy pictures, but poured the balm of hope into hearts which he had just wounded ; and when he had made the desired impression upon his hearers, he descended from the pulpit to receive in the confessional the con¬ fidence of the penitent, and to rescue his soul frorn perdition. Father Bernard was occupied for more than thirty years in the work of the holy missions. He travelled through Holland, his native country ; through Belgium, his country by adoption ; a part of Germany, England, Ireland, and North Amer¬ ica, everywhere doing good, announcing the Word of God with rare lustre and with a success which X was almost miraculous. His apostolic voice resounded in the two worlds. Everywhere it conquered hearts, pene¬ trated into the depths of the conscience, bent before the cross the brow of the learned, evangelized the poor and the ignorant; and when his beautiful soul entered the heavenly portals, it undoubtedly met there a host of pro- 14 Introduction.

digal children whom he, by the grace of God, had brought back to their Father’s house. Father Bernard always left a lasting impression wherever he appeared. A powerful and faithful instrument in the hands of the Divine Redeemer of man, he was a most indefatigable soldier of the Church, under the peaceful banner of Saint Alphonsus. The memory of this extraordinary man has always affected me. After his death I com¬ menced to collect the interesting details of his life and of his apostolic labors. I can affirm with truth that the present biography, in absence of any other merit, has at least that of perfect accuracy. By giving this life to the devout pub¬ lic, I consider myself as doing something for the edification of the faithful, and for the glory of our holy mother the Church. Justice compels me to inform the reader that I have availed myself of a Netherland pamphlet .^(^of 35 pages 8vo, Korte Levensschets van den Ew. P. Bernard, by an anonymous writer, publish¬ ed some time ago by H. Bogaerts, Bois-le-Duc and Amsterdam. It is the work of a nephew of the deceased, and the author had at his Introduction. 15

disposal the correspondence of his venerable uncle.* Several Redemptorist fathers, whose humility prevents me from mentioning their names, have supplied me with authentic information ; others have had the kindness to revise my imperfect work and to supply my deficiencies. May they deign to receive the assurance of my respectful gratitude. In conclusion, I request the reader to bear in mind that these pages are not intended as a panegyric ; they contain but a feeble sketch of the labors which marked a too short but glorious career. It remains for the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer to perfect the portrait of its illustrious son. It above all others knows what he was on earth, and what he has done .to cultivate the field of’our Heavenly Father.

* We hope it is not indiscreet to say that this excellent bio¬ graphical notice is due to the pen of Abb6 Lans, at present a professor in the petit s^minaire of Hageveld. May he one day favor us with a complete life ’ w

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t, • A Life of Father Bernard

CHAPTER 1.

BERNARD’S CHILDHOOD.

T T APPY the man who has been reared under ^ the eye of a pious and loving mother; under the strict discipline of a virtuous father. This united authority exercises over the child an irresistible influence which often decides his future career; and as the sun penetrates all nature by its rays and vivifying power, so do Christian parents infuse into the hearts of their children the celestial germs which will one day be developed by the grace of the Most High. Our future Redemptorist missionary enjoyed this inestimable happiness. Michael Hafkenscheid, descended from a re¬ spectable family, distinguished for its inviolable attachment to the faith in the heart of a Pro-

17 8 Life of Father Bei'iiard.

testant country, was born in the village of Ulft, in the province of Guelderland. While still young he went to Amsterdam to engage in commercial pursuits, and in l8oi he Catherine Aleide Weber, a native of that city, a pious Catholic lady of ancient line¬ age, who was in all respects worthy of him. The fortune of the newly-married couple was not •very considerable, but they soon experienced the truth of the promise of our Divine Master: “ Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his jus¬ tice, and all these things shall be added unto you.”* Providence abundantly rewarded their honesty in business, and blessed them with the goods of this world. They also became the happy parents of three sons and as many daughters. Full of holy zeal for their religious duties, they carefully watched over the education of their children, and formed them to the practice of virtue by their teachings and example. In their old age they had the happiness to see their children, not only corre* sponding to their desires, but even far surpassing their most ardent hopes.

* Matt. vi. 33. Life of Father Bernard. 19

On the I2th of December, 1807, was born in Amsterdam their second son—he for whom God had destined a distinguished place in the family of St. Alphonsus. This child of grace was baptized in the parish church known as that of ‘‘ Faith, Hope, and Charity,” and received the name of Bernard Joseph.* Bernard Joseph grew to be an amiable child, remarkably bright and cheerful; but he always

* The Catholic worship was secretly practised in Holland until the beginning of the present centur)'. The churches in comiiiercial cities were designated by names such as those which were usually given to warehouses and taverns. At Amsterdam the Catholic churches bore the titles of Pool, het Haantje, de Papegaai, het Duifje, de Poost-Hoorn, de Krijt- berg, de Zaaijer, etc., instead cf those of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, St. Anne, St. Nicholas, etc. The first church, which bore the exterior appearance of a religious edifice, was that of Geloof, Hoop en Liefde (Faith, Hope, and Charity). The government employed every means in its power to pre¬ vent the building of this church, but Mr. Hafkenscheid over¬ came every obstacle. His son Anthony, a brother of Ber¬ nard, was the founder of the first religious community that was established in Amsterdam since the time of the so-called Reformation. Mr. Anthony Hafkenscheid is now president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in that ciW. Pope Pius IX. has rewarded his devotedness to the church by creating him a

Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. 20 Life of Father Bernard,

assumed an air of thoughtfulness whenever his mother commenced to give him instructions in _h^th or endeavored to form his young heart to piety. Without him his little comrades seemed not to enjoy themselves ; without him their games possessed neither animation nor attraction. But this natural gayety changed to recollection whenever he was permitted to accompany his parents to church or join them in the family devotions. He was then no longer recognized as the jovial Bernard. He edified and delighted all who witnessed his respect and recollection in the sacred edifice. It is unnecessary to speak of his submission to his parents; he bore them the most tender affection, and availed himself of every opportu¬ nity to prove his love. A knowledge of this filial love, which increased with years, may give us a faint idea of the painful sacrifice he was re¬ quired to make, at a later period, in leaving them for Italy, or when he retired to a convent in Vienna, or, finally, when he was called upon to bid farewell to Europe, and enter upon the work of the American mission. When a man by his superior greatness has Life of Father Bernard. 21

once attracted our attention, we feel interested in the most trifling details of his childhood. The favorite amusement of little Bernard was, as it is commonly termed, “ to play priest.” If it be true that this is, as has been frequently ob¬ served in pious families, a sign of a vocation to the ecclesiastical state, young Hafkenscheid may be cited as a proof of it. Scarcely a day passed in which he was not seen, in his youthful simplicity, representing the functions of the holy priesthood. ^When he celebrated M-ass or gave Benediction in his chapel, he required his brothers and sisters to be present, and would not permit them either to speak or laugh. The ser¬ vice was frequently preceded or followed by a sermon, as if the youthful cur^ had a presenti¬ ment of his vocation to a missionary life. On \ one occasion he preached on the holy name of Jesus; of this sermon his family preserved a precious remembrance. His relatives still recall the love for Jesus which shone forth in every word of the little preacher. Those who heard him were deeply affected, and his parents were moved even to tears. Bernard was gifted with a clear, sweet voice. U^' 0^ VVla^ VC I/L- i/v^ *_U^ Cov-^t, . - «/^ U.5. J

22 of Father Bernard.

which he loved to devote to the service of the church. Great was the joy he manifested when permitted to sing solos in the choir. When only ten years of age, he took lessons in vocal and in¬ strumental music, in which he made , rapid pro¬ gress. This accomplishment, which, in the be¬ ginning, was but a mere recreation for him, was afcerwards, during his priestly career, frequently devoted to singing the praises of the Most High, ^ thus adding to the splendor of divine worship. His piety grew more solid as the time of his first communion approached. The counsels of his pious mother, the prayers which she offered, together with his own, joined to the instruction of the venerable cure. Van Der Lugt, served as the immediate preparation for this great act of his life. The child understood beyond his years the greatness of the grace he was about to re¬ ceive. One day, when he was thought to be engaged with his little companions in play, his mother, astonished at his remaining away from home much longer than usual, went in search of him ; but he was not to be found, and no one knew what had become of him. With the anxiety of a mother, she sought him every- Life of Father Bernard. 23 where, until he was at length discovered in his little room. Bernard was kneeling before a cru¬ cifix, engaged in fervent prayer, with his arms extended in the form of a cross, preparing to approach the tribunal of penance. On the eve of the great day, the child, accord¬ ing to the custom of pious families, came to ask the blessing of his excellent parents, and to beg their pardon for aii}^ sorrow which he might have caused them. On the 14th of February, 1820, his soul was nourished for the first time with the Bread of Angels. This first communion, made with such good dispositions by so innocent a child, was the consecration of the destiny that awaited him. CHAPTER II.

BERNARD’S EDUCATION AT HAGEVELD.

OR a generous soul, and one truly devoted to God, the things of this world and its transitory joys have but little attraction. Ber¬ nard was not made for them; all his aspirations tended towards the holy ministry, and more than once he expressed his desire to be permit¬ ted to follow his inclinations. His parents were far from opposing his vocation; they had al¬ ready consulted the worthy cure of the parish to which they belonged. By his advice it was decided that the pupil should be sent to an in¬ stitution which laid just claim to the confidence of all good Catholics. On the 30th of Septem¬ ber, 1820, Bernard, then in his thirteenth year, left the paternal roof, his face bathed in tears, but with a heart overflowing with happiness, and entered the college, or petit s6minaire, of Hage- veld, situated at Velzen, not far from Harlem.*

* The petit seminaire, which still retains the name of Ilageveld, is at present situated in the village of Voorhout, near Leyden, in the Diocese of Harlem.

24 Life of Father Bernard. 25

The Hageveld Institute, the result of a wise civil liberty, founded in 1817 by three dis¬ tinguished priests of Holland—the Baron of Wijckerslooth * and Messrs. Van Kiel and Van Bommel. The professors of Hageveld devoted their talents and energies to the forming of the army of young clerics which was placed under their charge. Unremittingly devoted to their labors, they never lost sight of the thought which had inspired them. The education of youth was the object of their watchings and of 'their persevering efforts. Here it was that Re¬ ligion, the queen of souls, ruled all things by her efficacious influence, while piety diffused salu¬ tary rays of light and life into both mind and heart. ' Brilliant success could not fail to crown labors undertaken in so noble a cause and pursued with such disinterested zeal. This explains the at-

* Corneille Louis, Baron of Wijckerslooth, afterwards Bishop of Curium in ^artibus, died November 10, 1851. The Revue Catholique of Louvain, t. ix. p. 534, gives a notice of this eminent prelate, who rendered immense service to the Catholics of the Low Countries and to their colonies in the Indies. 26 Life of Father Bernard.

tachment of the young pupils to this well- directed institution—an attachment which they ever preserved. It was particularly dear 1:0 those who attended it while under the direction of its first superior, M. Corneille Richard Antoine Van Bommeh* The director of the petit seminaire of Hage- veld soon perceived that he had received a student remarkable in every respect. Young Hafkenscheid, on his part, applied himself with unabated ardor to his studies, in order to be the better able to realize the expectations of his beloved parents and to mature the excellent talents with which God had gifted him. His first care was to increase in wisdom and in grace befoue God and men ; his next was to make pro¬ gress in science. Bernard joined great pleasant¬ ness of character to solid piety, Avhich possessed something very attractive, and gentlemanly de¬ portment to great simplicity of manners. The

* It is well known that this eminent priest was raised, in 1829, to the episcopal see of Liege, and in 1834 became one of the founders of the University of Louvain. He died a holy death at Liege, April 7, 1852, leaving to Belgium the remem¬ brance of his exalted virtues and great works. Life of Father Bernard. 27 only fault discovered in him was an extreme vivacity; but it must be said that against this he combated all his life. Destined, like his fellow-student and competi¬ tor, John Theodore Beelon, to attain scientific celebrity, he raised himself above the ordinary level. Like him, he was always at the head of his class ; like him, he gained the esteem and affection of all. Without a show of humility or a desire to seek applause, he never understood how he could consider himself in any respect above his confreres; he also avoided the least manifestation of having surpassed them in any¬ thing whatever. The penetrating eye of M. Van Bommel soon discovered the qualities of Bernard Joseph Haf- kenschied ; he saw in him not only virtue, but brilliant talents, sound judgment, and an ener¬ getic character. On this account he always took the liveliest interest in him. Several years later, when he heard that his dear humanist and philosopher of Hageveld had enlisted in the army of St. Alphonsus, he was not in the least astonished. “ I always thought,” he said, that a mere village or a single city 28 Life of Father Bernard, would be too small a theatre for a soul so great.” * It is a fact worthy of note that the diocese of Mgr. Van Bommel was the first to witness the salutary effects of Bernard’s zeal. CHAPTER III.

BERNARD ENTERS THE ROMAN COLLEGE.

T) ERNARD had completed his preparatory studies and the first course of philosophy at Hageveld, when the fatal decree of 1825 was published. King William I. suppressed the col¬ leges and Latin free-schools, replacing them by the “ Collegium Philosophicum,” designed for the education of young Catholics who were ^destined for holy orders. No aspirant could be admitted into the episco¬ pal seminaries unless he had previously made his preparatory studies in this college, which became so sadly renowned. This was a violent infringe¬ ment on the rights of the church. All the Catholics of the kingdom raised their voices against measures so grievous and so unconstitu¬ tional. In vain did the Holy See'address earnest protestations to the‘royal court. The Batavian government disregarded them. The “ Collegium Philosophicum ” was opened the same year at Louvain, and all Catholic colleges were arbi-

39 /

SO Life of' Father Bernard.

trarily suppressed. The Hageveld Institute yielded to the general proscription. Masters and pupils received orders to separate. M. Tets van Goudriaan, Governor of Northern Hol¬ land and the friend of the superior, M. Van Bommel, was, against his inclinations, the exe¬ cutor of the royal will.* Hafkenscheid and Beeleii were compelled to return to their homes ; they were determined not to enter the “ Collegium Philosophicum,” which was condemned by all true Catholics. They did not, however, interrupt their studies. Having a knowledge of the Greek and Latin, they wished also to acquire that of the Hebrew tongue, which could not fail to be useful to them. They took lessons of a Jew in Amsterdam. Having completed the course of elementary philosophy,

* Professor Mathias Siegenbeck, in a public letter ad¬ dressed, in 1840, to M. Groen Van Prinsterer, dared to calum¬ niate the Catholic institutions which were arbitrarily closed in 1825. Mgr. Van Bommel, then Bishop of Liege, made him a dignified reply in a letter addressed to the Protestant publicist. Among the man}'- men distinguished in the higher orders of society who were educated at the petit s6mi- naire of Hageveld, he named Hafkenscheid, Beelen, Broere, etc. Life of Father Bernard. 31

they devoted themselves to the study of theo¬ logy under the direction of Abb6 Bogaerts, one of their former professors at Hageveld. On the 18th of June, 1827, the Concordat was concluded between Pope Leo XII. and the gov¬ ernment of William I.; but the Calvinistic government found reasons to delay the execu¬ tion of the treaty, and did not allow the reopen¬ ing of the seminaries. In awaiting the dawn of happier days for the Catholic population, our young men resolved to follow the example of some Hollanders and Belgians who went to seek in a foreign land the sacred science which their own government had denied them. On the 28th of September, 1828, they bade farewell to their respective families, and directed their steps towards the capital of Catholicity. In after years they delighted to relate how, by making short journeys, they visited the large cities which lay on their route; how, with pipe in mouth, staff in hand, and with joyful hearts, they travelled over the mountains of Switzerland, and contemplated with delight the grandeur of uncultivated nature. On Mont Cenis they cou¬ rageously mounted a summit, covered with snow 32 Life of Father Bernard,

and ice, and. when they beheld the beautiful country of Italy, they exclaimed with enthusi¬ asm, Italiam ! Italiam ! ” Arriving in a dili¬ gence within three leagues of Rome, they stepped out of the conveyance, which travelled too slowly for their desires^, and performed the rest of the journey on foot. They entered the City of the Seven Hills November 20, and went in search of their companions, who had ar¬ rived in Rome before them. Their happiness was now at its height. ‘‘ Nothing, wrote Haf kenscheid to his beloved parents—“ nothing can be compared to the joy that we felt in breathing the fragrance of Rome, and this joy, I dare say, was holy. The thought that I have come here to taste, in the mother city, that which my own country has refused me, deeply penetrates me, and renders my happiness so pure that I be¬ lieve I can abandon myself to it without re¬ serve.” Rome, the asylum of the persecuted, inter¬ ested herself from the beginning in the welfare of the proscribed seminarians who had come from the Netherlands. Pope Leo XII. deigned to take them under his protection, and appointed Life of Father Berriard 33 a distinguished priest to give them a cordial re¬ ception. The day following their arrival Hafkenscheid and Beelen were received into the Gregorian University, better known as the Roman College. The ties of pure and sincere friendship which had united the two students of Amsterdam naturally became stronger. Like David and Jonathan, they were of one heart and one soul. ^ “ Beelen was never seen without Haflcenscheid, Hafkenscheid never without Beelen.” It was thus that Bernard wrote to his parents. United in recreation and in visiting the Roman monu¬ ments, they were not less so in their studies and devotions. These inseparable companions had the same end in view: they desired to become learned and exemplary priests in order that they might thereby become worthy laborers in the vineyard of our Heavenly Father. Beelen made the Holy Scriptures and the Oriental languages his favorite studies; his friend preferred scholastic theology. He ac¬ quired a thorough knowledge of Saint Thomas of Aquin, the prince of theologians. “ From morning till night,” he says in a letter to his 34 Life of Father Bernard.

parents, “ the Sumnia 'lies open on my table. The Angelic Doctor is not easily understood, but daily intercourse with him has already given me an insight into his meaning, and I often enter¬ tain myself with Saint Thomas till midnight. You cannot imagine how agreeable is his conver¬ sation. Every word contains a treasure of deep thought. I never leave this ‘ Angel ’ without having learned from him something new and interesting.” Some hours of the holidays were generally devoted to reading the works of De La- mennais, whose glory was not yet tarnished by his revolt against the decisions of the Church. Hafkenscheid also took some relaxation in his scientific reflections, sometimes in Tasso’s “Jeru¬ salem Delivered,” sometimes in topographical researches, or in the history of the great city. “I am sure,” he says in a letter to his parents, “ that no more useful pastime can be found here; no society, not even that of the inhabi¬ tants of the city, is more agreeable. . . . My professors, my books, my confreres, natives or Hollanders, are the most agreeable and instruc¬ tive society that I could or should have. Patient and continual application to study is the only Life of Father Ber^iard. 35

means one has to advance and to see his efforts crowned with success. . . . Living in this manner, I hope to conduct myself well, and to form myself according to the spirit of the state which I hope one day to em¬ brace.” It is not astonishing that a piety so firm, a zeal so persevering, and a mode of life so well regulated and in all respects so exemplary, should have gained for Hafkenscheid and Bee- len the especial affection of their masters; and, whenever they mentioned the best students of the Roman College, the name of our young levite and that of his excellent friend always ranked first. These earnest labors, blessed by the Holy Spirit, were abundantly rewarded. At the close of the first scholastic year Haflcenscheid ob¬ tained the silver medal awarded as the first premium in dogmatic theology, while Beelen took the first prize in Sacred Scripture. Without being elated by their success, they were not the less happy. Above all, they rejoiced to be able to give to their beloved parents this testimony of filial gratitude for all the privations they'had un- 36 Life of Father Bernard.

dergone. All the students of Holland then at Rome rejoiced at the victory of their country¬ men, and at a private feast, where music, song, and the national pipe were not forgotten,’they gave full vent to the joy of their hearts. Divine Providence, which ordereth all things powerfully and sweetly, gave them an unexpected consola¬ tion. In March, 1829, they heard that their former director at Hageveld was to be precon- ized Bishop of Liege. Their joy was still greater when shortly afterwards it was an¬ nounced to them that the religious affairs of the Low Countries had taken a favorable turn. A royal decree of June 20, 1829, rendered optional the attendance at the “ Collegium Philosophi- cum” by the Catholic young men who intended to devote themselves .to study in the episcopal seminaries. By another decree, dated October 2, the king declared that the bishops could devote themselves immediately to the organi¬ zation of their respective seminaries, and to admit into them the young men who had made their preliminary studies outside the kingdom. Thus satisfaction was given to the Catholic clergy of the Netherlands. We cannot refrain Life of Father Bernard. 37

from reprodiicing some passages of Bernard’s correspondence : Our esteemed director, whose memory is engraven on our hearts, who has already ren¬ dered valuable services to the church, will now render her services still more valuable ; his rare qualities, so long hidden within the walls of Hageveld, will now shine forth in all their bril¬ liancy, and he will receive from the entire Neth- erland church the exalted esteem which those who have known him intimately have always felt for him. . . . The reopening of the Institute of Hageveld, always so dear to our hearts; the return of the young students who had been dis¬ persed here and there, to their former home ; this the new source of blessings to the church of the Netherlands, are so many events which have excited, even in Rome, the most unexpected and the most sincere joy. Yes, from the bottom of our hearts we participate in the joy of the Catholics of our country. In these recent events they have received a new proof that patience and resignation always triumph over the enemies of the church, and that those who patiently support earthly trials will infallibly draw down upon themselves the benedictions of 38 Life of Father Bernard.

heaven. May a lasting feeling of gratitude confirm in all hearts this great grace which heaven has bestowed on our brethren of the Netherlands.” The renown of the merits and virtues of the two friends preceded them into their own country. In June, 1830, after the reopening of the seminaries, in accordance with the decrees of June and October, 1829, the Archpriest of Holland thought of recalling them. He wished to appoint Bernard professor of philosophy at Hageveld, and Theodore Beelen professor of theology in the Seminary of Warmond. Ready to obey their .superior if he should insist, they respectfully asked his permission to complete their course in Rome, and the Archpriest acquiesced without difficulty to this just de¬ mand. The future clearly manifested that the finger of God was here. The pulpit, and not the professor’s chair, was the most suitable place for the activity of Hafkenscheid. He already felt in the depths of his soul a secret desire of which we will hereafter speak. The events which took place in Belgium in September, 1830, are too well known to be referred to in this biography. CHAPTER IV.

BERNARD IS ORDAINED PRIEST, AND RECEIVES

THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY.

N Saturday, in the Ember-week of Decem- ber, 1829, Bernard received minor orders, and on Holy Saturday, 1830, he was promoted to the order of sub-diaconate. “ Could I have believed,” he wrote on this occasion, “ that the choice of my state of life would have caused me so much interior happiness? Truly, it is too great. Why cannot I sufficiently thank hea¬ ven for granting me this signal favor?” At the close of the scholastic year, he received the degree of bachelor in theology, and ob¬ tained three medals, the first prizes in moral and dogmatic theology and in Hebrew. The desire to commence an active life and to labor for the salvation of souls grew daily stronger in Bernard’s soul. The young theo¬ logian was anxious to terminate his studies and to undergo his examination for his license and for the degree of doctor of theology. He be- ' 39 40 Life of Father Bernard,

came licentiate at the close of the third year (1831), and was made doctor shortly after his or¬ dination. He received the order of deacon on Holy Saturday, 1831. A letter written to his friend Broere, who had been appointed professor of philosophy at Hageveld,* testifies to the ex¬ alted idea he had formed of the dignity which awaited him : “ Another step,, my dear friend, and I shall be a priest ! I am continually occu¬ pied with this thought, and I hope to be suitably prepared for the great day. From this moment I claim a share in your prayers, especially in your mementos during the holy sacrifice of the Mass. When I reflect on what I have been and on what I am to-day, I sincerely confess that I tremble at the mere thought of my elevation to a dignity of which I see the responsibility. But the will of God, if I am not mistaken, has called me to this sublime state, and it must be accom¬ plished. I endeavor, as far as is in my power, to

* M. Corneille Broere, Canon of Harlem and domestic prelate of His Holiness, was born in Amsterdam in 1803, and died in the Seminary of Warmond, December, i860. He waiS' a philosopher, theologian, a talented painter, and a poet of genius. Life of Father Bernard, 41

purify my intentioiTs and to renew my spirit, which should be that of a good and true priest. Nine days before Lent I made for this purpose the spiritual exercises under the direction of the fathers of the Society of Jesus. May God crown my feeble efforts with the best success! I have great confidence in the prayers of my family and in those of my friends and acquaint¬ ances ; for the rest, I place all my interests in the hands of God and in those of his holy Mother. It is now two years and a half since I left Hol¬ land, and, God be praised, I feel the most com¬ plete indifference as to my destination! I do not trouble myself to know in what place or in what position I shall one day labor. My family awaits my return at the end of the fourth year; if it is to be so, I will say ‘ fiat !’ Should it be otherwise, I shall not be the less contented. It always. makes me happy to learn that one or the other of my friends has received an appoint¬ ment. I hope one day to follow them, and, although I burn with the desire to be useful to my neighbor, I cannot neglect the opportunities which I now have^to enrich my mind and heart.” And, in fact, if Mr. Hafkenscheid’s mind was 42 Life of Father Bernard.

developed by private study, his heart became perfectly sacerdotal under the spiritual guidance of the Jesuit Fathers of the Roman College. H is confreres were unanimous in their esteem of him on account of his virtues. He had learned from his parents to love the poor of Jesus Christ, and attributed to his little alms the greatest graces which God bestowed upon him. During Lent his collation in the evening consisted of a piece of dry bread with some salt. In his walks he never failed to conduct his friends to some sanctuary, to prostrate themselves before the Blessed Sacrament or to assist at Benediction. The edifying example which the Holy City gave, the splendor of its religious solemnities, its re¬ miniscences of the early ages of Christianity, and even the revolutionary storm which broke out in the Pontifical States at the accession of Gregory XVI., revived in his soul that firm con¬ fidence in the triumph of the Church, that holy indignation against the persecutors of the spouse of Christ, that ardent thirst for souls, that inde¬ fatigable zeal for the conversion of sinners, and that courage in all trials, which were so many characteristic traits of his apostolic career. Life of Father Bernard, 43

Even in Rome his oratorical talents began to display themselves. He assiduously studied the great orators, who were heard at the religiouSi services presented by the Pope at the time of the atompted insurrection. He knew how to ap¬ preciate them according to their just value—a proof of which is the following passage, taken from one of his letters: “ Here, in sermons, are not heard the soft murmurs of a limpid stream, fragrant flowers are not gathered; but the truths of the Gospel are. clothed in chaste and appropri¬ ate language, and inculcated with soul-stirring eloquence. Happy, thrice happy Netherlands, if orators such as these announced the Gospel to thee !” Little did he then think that he would one day hold the first rank among orators of this class. On the 17th of March, the feast of Saint Patrick, the patron of the country which at a later period he went to evangelize, Bernard Joseph Hafkenscheid was raised to the sacred dignity of the priesthood. On the 19th of March, the feast of Saint Joseph, he had the hap¬ piness to offer to God, for the first time, the holy sacrifice of the Mass. He spent this day in re- 44 Life of Father Ber7iard. treat and continual prayer. The following month he admirably sustained his theses for the- doctorate. His professors conferred on him the degree of doctor, accompanied by the following testimony: * “ I, the undersigned, declare that the Rev. Mr. Bernard Joseph Hafkenscheid, son of Michael, a native of Amsterdam, has pursued for about four years, beginning with the 8th of November, 1828, the study of dogmatic theology in the Roman College of the Society of Jesus. He de¬ voted himself to the studies of moral theology. Holy Scripture, and of ecclesiastical history for two years, and for one year to the study of the Hebrew language. During this time he gave in¬ creasing proofs of such diligent application, and made such remarkable progress, that but few students could be compared to him. As regards piety, religion, and modesty, he was always a model, and merited the highest encomiums. He took the first prize at the solemn distribution of premiums at the close of the scholastic year. In 1830 he received the degree of bachelor ; in 1831 he became licentiate; and finally, in April, 1832,

* See Appendix A. Life of Father Bernard. 45 he was, by unanimous suffrages, raised to the de¬ gree of doctor of divinity. Given at the Roman College of the Society of Jesus, April 23, 1832. “J. B. D^SSI, Rector of the Roman College.” CHAPTER V.

RELIGIOUS VOCATION—HE ENTERS THE CON¬

GREGATION OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER.

' I '^HIS good news had already reached Am- sterdam. Father Bernard’s parents longed for the moment when they should embrace their beloved son, avIio had been absent for four long years; and they promised themselves the happi¬ ness to see him engaged in the exercise of parochial duties. But God had other designs with • his faithful servant. After mature delibe¬ ration and ardent prayer, and having asked the advice of his spiritual director, Bernard Joseph resolved to unite the perfection of the religious life to the dignity of the priesthood by entering the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. I have consulted on this subject a religious who enjoyed his friendship and for a long time shared his labors. I here insert a copy of the letter which he addressed to me: ‘‘ Our future confrere saw brilliant prospects 46 Life of Father Beryiard. 47 open before him, but he sacrificed all to secure his salvation. A pulpit in Holland, as well as a position in Rome, had been offered to him; but he felt himself called to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. He could not explain the interior attraction which he felt for Saint Alphonsus rather than for Saint Ignatius. He loved the Society of Jesus, which labors for the greater glory of God ; he also loved scientific pursuits. In order to enter our dear Congre¬ gation, he must devote himself entirely to the apostolate; he must be entirely detached from his country and the companions of his studies; he must leave his parents, whom he loved with all his heart, “ He could not, however, resist the voice of God, which left him no repose. It was while kneeling in the Church of Saint Andrea della Valle, and shedding an abundance of tears, that he took the final resolution to knock for admis¬ sion at the convent-door of the Redemptorist Fathers. “ At that time our fathers did not possess, in the Eternal City, their large establishment on the Esquiline Hill known as the Villa Caserta, 48 Life of Father Bernard. which, under Pius IX., became the residence of the superior-general. They had at Rome only a small convent attached to the Church of Santa Maria in Monterone.' Father Mantone resided there, quite unknown to the city, with three companions, and without being engaged in the work of the holy missions. He was charged with the duties of procurator-general. “ When Mr. Hafkenscheid manifested the desire to be admitted as a novice. Father Mantone received him with an air of indiffe¬ rence, giving him but little hope of success. He told him to reflect at leisure, and, in any case, not to form any resolution before he had taken his degree of doctor of divinity; ‘ for,’ he added, ‘you will not be permitted in our Congregation to receive university degrees.’ “ Having received the degree of doctor, Mr. Hafkenscheid renewed his request. This time he received a more definite reply. But God sent him another trial. “ ‘ Since you are a native of Holland,’ said Father Mantone to him,‘you can easily leai'n the German language. You would do better to apply to the Redemptorists in Vienna ; your Life of Father Bernard. 49

apostolic life will be more useful there. We are expecting two fathers soon to arrive from be¬ yond the Alps; you will have an opportunity of speaking to them, and to make arrangements, if possible, Avith regard to what step you shall take.’ “ Mr. Hafkenscheid did not suffer himself to be discouraged. “ In a few days Rev. Father Czech, Rector of the house at Fribourg, in Switzerland, arrived in Rome, in company with Rev. Father Fred¬ eric de Held, of the community in Vienna. They repaired together to the chapter which was to be held at Nocera for the election of a new superior-general, who was to replace Rev. Father Celestine Maria Code, who had been appointed confessor to the King of Naples, and was raised to the archiepiscopal dig- nity. “ Our friend had an interview \vith Father Czech. The latter, perceiving that the young priest had a true vocation, and would be of service in the northern countries, promised to plead his cause with the Most Rev. Father Passerat, vicar-general of the cisalpine pro- 50 Life of Father Bernard. vinces of our Congregation.* In the meantime, the postulant was to return to his family to await a reply. “Bernard Joseph immediately communicated to his parents the desire with which heaven had inspired him, doubting not that they would be happy to learn of his vocation. The news deeply afflicted his father; but this good man knew too well his duties as a Christian to offer any resistance to such a resolution. ‘ He would willingly submit,’ he replied, ‘ to the will of God, provided it would be clearly mani¬ fested.’ ” Bernard, full of his project, left Rome, May 7, 1832, to return to his native country. Ar¬ riving at Liege, his first care was to ask the episcopal benediction of his former director. Mgr. Van Bommel received him with open arms, and, knowing the merit of his dear student of Hageveld, confidentially spoke to him of a theo-

* Father Passerat succeeded, in 1820, the Venerable Father Clement Maria Hoftbauer, who had introduced the Congrega¬ tion into Austria, and had entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, in Rome, during the lifetime of Saint Alphonsus. See Appendix E. Life of Father Bernard. 51 logical professorship in the Catholic university which the Belgian episcopacy intended to found at Mechlin. The proposal was tempting; but Bernard’s vocation was already decided. On hearing that Mr. Hafkenscheid wished to become a member of the family of St. Alphonsus de Liguori, the bishop made the further discovery that the conversion of sinners by means of mis¬ sions was the" special end which the Congrega¬ tion of the Most Holy Redeemer had in view. This was, for the zealous prelate, a discovery that might be termed providential. “Go, my son,” he said to him; “but you must absolutely return, for I wish to introduce this Congregation into my diocese.” It is well known that Mgr. Van Bommel generously assisted the Redemptorists to estab¬ lish themselves in Belgium, and that he showed them the affection of a father. The particular esteem that he bore thern, and the powerful protection with which he favored them at Liege, Saint Trond, and Wittem, may be attributed to the influence of Father Bernard. In July, Bernard found himself in the bosom of his family and relatives, whose joy and gra_ 52 Life of Father Bernard. titude to God knew no bounds. He celebrated solemn High Mass in the humble church in which he had received the grace of regeneration and made his first communion. Professor Corneille Broere sang, in Dutch verse, the happiness of his friend and of his pious family: “ The sun, in traversing its orbit for the fourth time, has restored the friend whom the voice of heaven had called from his country. He left his family in tears, and, behold, he returns a priest of the Most High, educated in the Eternal City ! O ye who are prostrate with me before this holy altar, witnesses to-day of the Euchar¬ istic sacrifice which he offers, pray that the grace of the Most High may ever enlighten his path and conduct him to heaven! ” This prayer of friendship was heard. It was at Amsterdam that the young priest received the so-much-desired letter which the rector of the house at Fribourg had promised him in Rome. It reads as follows: “ Sir : Rev. Father Czech, the rector of the house of our Congregation of the Most Holy Re¬ deemer at Fribourg, has informed me of your desire to consecrate yourself to God in our holy Life of Father Bernard. 53

Congregation. According to the information which he has given me of your reverence. I judge, as far as human infirmity is capable, that your desire is inspired by the Holy Ghost, and that you have a true vocation. It is, then, my duty to give you the means to follow it. Thus, sir, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I re¬ ceive you as a candidate, and you may repair to Vienna, in Austria, to make your novitiate. You know the spirit of our Congregation. Neverthe¬ less, I will repeat to you that obedience is, as in all religious orders, the principal as well as the most difficult point. Perfect indifference is required with regard to all kinds of employment in the holy ministry, and also concerning all opinions that do not pertain to faith.* Recommend to our Lord the step that you are about to take. Commending you to our Lord Jesus Christ and to his blessed Mother, in the hope of embracing you soon, I have the honor to be, sir, your very devoted servant,

“Joseph Passerat, “ Vicar-General C.SS.R.”

* See Appendix B for an explanation of this passage. 54 Life of Father Bernard.

The joy of the postulant on receiving’ this letter of admission may be imagined. He pre¬ served it until death as one of the most precious remembrances of his life. It recalled not only an extraordinary grace which he had received from God, but also the extraordinary virtues of him who had written it. After two months’ sojourn beneath the paternal roof the day of separation arrived. It was for him a bitter trial to leave those whom he so fondly loved, but he had studied these words of Jesus Christ: “He .who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” His parents were no longer anxious about his future ; they only desired that, previous to his departure, he would give them the first-fruits of his apostolate in the church at Ulft, which was his father’s native village. Bernard wrote and carefully committed to memory his- first sermon. On the appointed day he ascended the pulpit and preached on the advantages of adversity. He proved that adversity was, in the sight of God, a salutary trial and a sign of predestination. The merit of adversity should be a consolation for the pious parents who were about to be Life of Father Bernard. 55 separated from their son, the object of their affection. Our Roman doctor arrived at Vienna during the last days of October, 1832. Most Rev. Father Passerat sent him to the convent at Weinhaus, one of the suburbs of the Austrian capital. It was there that Bernard was clothed in the livery of St. Alphonsus, December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and commenced his ap¬ prenticeship of the interior life in prayer and meditation. Father Bernard had the habit of writing in his Manual the resolutions which he made during his retreats. He wrote as follows on his recep¬ tion of the habit: “ Like a good Redemptorist, I must frequently recall to mind this touching solemnity. In blessing the habit which I wear the priest said, ‘ Bless, O Lord Jesus Christ! this livery of thy Congregation, that with it thy servant, our brother, may be clad with thee, who art the most beautiful model of all perfection.’ When the priest placed the habit on my shoulders, he said to me, ‘ Invest thyself, my son, with our Lord Jesus Christ, and always bear in thy body the mortifications of Jesus.’ I then 56 Life of Father Bernard.

said that I was resolved to give myself entirely to God, and to strive to imitate with all my strength the most holy life of my Divine Re¬ deemer. I must also recall the words addressed to me when I received the crucifix: ‘ Receive, my son, the image of thy Divine Master and crucified Redeemer, who has suffered for thee, and has given himself for thee ; place it as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm. Amen.’ ” The novice of Weinhaus did not fail during the first months of his novitiate to address to his parents frequent expressions of his filial attachment, and to assure them of the ineffable delights which he enjoyed. “ Never,” said he, could I have imagined that my sacrifice, which was not very great, would have met with so rich a reward. Assured of my vocation to the reli¬ gious state, I experience the most holy joy of heart. Ah ! pray with me, and ask my friends to pray, that I may correspond to all these graces; that I may ever preserve them; and that I may become a missionary according to the heart of God.” In another letter we find this touching exclamation: “ Blessed Weinhaus, I

/ Life of Father Bernard. 57

could never have thought that thou didst con¬ tain so many treasures ! The four years that I passed in Rome are less dear to my soul than the four months spent within thy solitary walls.” We would never -finish did we attempt to enumerate all the expressions of happiness with which Bernard’s letters abound. This feeling of happiness becomes greater when he speaks of the love of Jesus and Mary ; when he consoles his friends who have met with a loss, or when afflicted with sickness, by describing to them the sufferings of the Saviour of man and the merits attached to afflictions. When he manifests his unlimited confidence in prayer—above all, in the holy rosary—he then becomes eloquent without ^wishing it, and the ardor of his words betray the emotions of his soul. Fathers Madlener and Doll, trained in the school of Saint Alphonsus by the Venerable Clement Maria Hoffbauer, were successively his masters in the spiritual life. They testified that during the course of his novitiate he gave his confreres an example of every virtue, particu¬ larly of obedience and regularity, of humility 58 Life of Father Bernard. and the spirit of mortification. He loved to re¬ peat these words of Saint Alphonsus : “ He is an unv/orthy son of our Congregation to whom the least rule is not of the highest importance.” He was, in a certain sense, covetous of humiliations. It sometimes happened that the mast-er of novices, in order to try him, asked him questions in the catechism, to which Father Hafkenscheid replied with the modesty and simplicity of a child—he who, after sustaining the most bril¬ liant theses, had received the degree of doctor of theology! The excellent Father Hugues, who was his companion in the novitiate, relates the follow¬ ing traits of his character: “ Fathers Madlener and Doll have frequently spoken to me with intense admiration of Father Bernard’s virtues, and particularly of his humility and self-abnegation. As to my¬ self, who had been but recently converted to the Catholic faith, and had not as yet received any theological instruction, I could not sufficiently admire his goodness and his charity towards me. I may also add that he was for all of us an ad¬ mirable model of religious perfection. Among y

Life of Father Bernard. 59 the novices he was the only priest; the others were nearly all young Austrians, trained in the corrupt gymnasiums of the empire, and imbued with maxims that scarcely accorded with Roman orthodoxy; hence but very few of them were ad¬ mitted to profession. We may easily under¬ stand how much Father Bernard, who had com¬ pleted his studies at the Roman College, suffered in the depths of his soul in hearing his confreres express opinions which, to say the least, were very strange; but he always remained calm, always full of sweetness and charity. Although he wrote German correctly, he frequently com¬ mitted faults in speaking it, which caused much mirth to our young Germans; yet he com¬ ported himself towards them as though he had remarked 'nothing whatever, and lost neither his self-possession nor .forbearance.” Since Father Bernard had already been raised to the priesthood before entering the Congrega¬ tion of the Most Holy Redeemer, and gave every sign of a true vocation, his time of probation was shortened. He took his religious vows on the 17th of October, 1833, at the hands of the' 6o Life of FatJLC7‘ Bernard.

Most Rev. Father Passerat. He requested his superior, as a favor, to be allowed to remain for some time in the novitiate, that he might acquire more solid virtue and the spirit of the institute. The same year he left Weinhaus for Saint Trond, in company with Father Hugues, who was then neither a priest nor a professed m.ember of the Congregation, to whom he nevertheless humbly submitted. Father Bernard had now attained the age of twenty-six years. He was the first member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer who was a native of Holland. We will soon see him at .work. It gives me great pleasure to state here that his former fellow^student and intimate friend. Doctor John Theodore Beelen, was appointed by Mgr. Van Bommel to teach theology in the Epis¬ copal Seminary of Liege (1833). Episcopacy of Belgium confided to him the pro¬ fessorship of Holy Scripture and of the Oriental languages in the Catholic University of Louvain. It belongs not to me to speak of the services which this eminent man has rendered to science Life of Father Bernard 6i and to the Church during his long professional career. I may be permitted to express here my gratitude for the affection wijh which he has honored me since I had the happiness of attend¬ ing his lectures. CHAPTER VI.

FATHER BERNARD’S PROFESSORSHIP AT SAINT

TROND — HIS APOSTOLIC CAREER IN BEL¬

GIUM.

'^T^HE first Redemptorists who came to Belgium were sent from Switzerland, and some, perhaps, from Austria, by the Most Rev. Father Passerat, the year after the Bel¬ gian Revolution. Having dwelt for a short time in a house known as the Solitude, situ¬ ated at Rumillies, near Tournay, they took up their residence in 1833, in the interior of the city, during the episcopacy of Mgr. Delplancq.'^ At this period Mgr. Van Bommel entered into negotiations with the Very Rev. Father Pas¬ serat, to obtain a colony of Redemptorist mis¬ sionaries for his extensive diocese. Fathers de Held and Pilat established a com-

*The Solitude was a country-house belonging to the Semh nary of Tournay. The noble families Robians and Casier gave the fathers a mansion in Tournay. 62 Life of Father Bernard. 63

munity of the Congregation at Liege in the month of March, 1833, and another at Saint- Trond in the following May. In January, 1836, the Redemptorists took possession of the house of Wittem, near Galoppe, in that part of Limburg which waa annexed to Holland in 1842 * In 1841 they opened, under the auspices of Car¬ dinal Sterckx, Archbishop of Mechlin, a house adjoining the little church of Saint Mary Mag¬ dalen at Brussels. The Convent of Saint Trond served as a house of studies from 1833 until they obtained possession of the convent at Wittenj. The Redemptorists commenced their aposto- late in Belgium by a simple noverja, beginiling with the first of November, 1833. In December of the same year they commenced a course of missions in the respective parishes of Gulpen and Wittem. In the course of the following year regular missions were given by Father de Held to the inhabitants of Fauquemont, Montzen, Heerlen Thimister, Verviers, etc.f Thus the diocese of

*See Appendix C. f Journal Hist, et Litteraire, de M. Kersten, vol. i. p. 328. 64 Life of Father Bernard.

Mgr. Van Bommel received the first-fruits of the ministry of the children of Saint Alphonsus. Father Bernard was appointed to teach theo¬ logy to the students of the Congregation at Saint Trond. The following confidential lines prove that he had to overcome a natural repug¬ nance in entering upon the career of a professor; “ God does all things for our good ; it remains for us to accomplish his holy will. Hence I have no other desire. I seek no other consolation or happiness than to fulfil the holy will of God. For myself and for others I wish but a filial sub¬ mission to what God wills. By acting in this manner we will accomplish the greatest work that man can possibly perform in this world. From* the moment we begin to realize in our¬ selves the divine will we commence to lead here below the life of the angels and of the blessed, who find all their happiness in heaven in the ac¬ complishment of the divine will, in adoring God, and in praising him for ever.” On another occasion he wrote to his brother the following words: “‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ’—this is our daily prayer; it is also the daily thought of our Life of Father Bernard. 65 hearts. Our Heavenly Father alone knows what is beneficial for us. Let us hide our¬ selves with confidence in the bosom of his Divine Providence.” And again : “ I live hap¬ pily, provided the will of God be accomplished in me. I beg you to ask our dear Lord and his glorious and holy Mother to grant me this signal favor.’’ Father Bernard was not long engaged in the duties of professor of theology. At the end of one year he entered the list, and, to use his own expression, “ obtained a rank in the army.” The solitude of Saint Trond was “ the arsenal where he prepared his cannon and shot.” * He was permitted to use his first weapons in a slight skirmish which took place in the parish of Thimister, four leagues from Liege. The mission of Thimister, the first which had been given in the Walloon section of the Diocese of Liege, was opened August 29, 1834, with the co-operation of the vicar-general of

* Father Bernard resided at the convent in Li^ge from 1835 to 1842. 66 Life of Father Bernard.

the institute, the Most Rev. Father Passerat. According to custom, it lasted ten days. Father Bernard and his confreres labored with inde¬ fatigable zeal, and by their united efforts brought forth fruits of salvation. The number of those who sought to be reconciled to God during the course of this mission was so great that it was necessary to ask for a reinforcement of confes¬ sors. Twelve fathers were occupied in the con¬ fessional from an early hour in the morning till late at night.* This skirmish was the beginning of that continued war against sin and impiety in which Father Bernard displayed his ’natural energy and his superhuman strength for over thirty years. His life was spent in fighting the battles of the Lord. It was not an uncommon thing for him, particularly in the first years ot his missionary labors, to meet with violent opposi¬ tion. In one place the authorities interfered, under pretext of the law, but in contempt of all justice, to prevent the mission ; at another the evil-minded instigated the people against the hypocritical monks, the disturbers of the pub¬ lic peace from a foreign country ” ; they spoke

* youmal de A1 Kersten^ vol. i. p. 361, Life of Father Bernard. 67 of troubles and seditions; the corrupt press disseminated atrocious calumnies; the liberal¬ ism of the streets made use of irony and sar¬ casm. In a word, hell left nothing untried to accomplish its work; but it was on such occa¬ sions that Father Bernard seemed to redouble his efforts. Braving intimidations, raillery, and obstacles of all kinds, he engaged in action, and came off victorious, bearing away the spoils of those who were most obstinately infuriated against him. This happened in the great battle of Verviers, of which we will now speak.* The work of the mission of Verviers was commenced October 20, 1834, in the midst of unforeseen difficulties. I must, however, re¬ mark, to the honor of the inhabitants, that these disturbances afflicted all good people. Calumny unrelentingly attacked the mission¬ aries, even when they were triumphant. Strangers to the passions which agitated their enemies, they returned neither complaints nor criminations, and thus proved that the mission

* fournalde M. Kersten, vol. i. p. 419. 68 Life of Father Bernard, was the work of God, of peace and reconcilia¬ tion. All the sinister attempts of their adver¬ saries had no other result than to constrain them to render homage to a religion the so¬ lemn exercises of which attracted the people, and gave tears of repentance and peace of soul to the immense crowd that attended them. As a proof of this it will suffice to enumerate the principal exercises of the mission, and the fruits of grace produced in those who assisted without hostile intentions. From the beginning of the mission the faith of the inhabitants of Verviers was manifested by the sacrifices which they made. Daily, at half¬ past five o’clock in the morning, the two paro¬ chial churches in the city were thronged with the faithful, whom the voice of grace called at that early hour to hear the word of salva¬ tion. The attendance at the instructions was not less numerous than at the sermon during High Mass. But it was, above all, the sermon in the evening, preached by Father Bernard, that showed the marvellous effects produced in sincere hearts by the grace of the Most High. Life of Father Bernard. 69

A person who attended this mission has preserved the following account of the subjects of the sermons and meditations: i. The Invi¬ tation ; 2. Mortal Sin ; 3. Salvation ; 4. The Small Number of the Elect; 5. Mercy of God ; 6. Human Respect; 7. Death; 8. Death of the Sinner; 9. Death of the Just; 10. The Particu¬ lar Judgment; ii. Hell; 12. Abuse of Grace; 13. Blasphemy; 14. Confession; 15. The Happi¬ ness of a Virtuous Soul; 16. Proximate Occa¬ sion of Sin; 17. Prayer; 18. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin ; 19. The Blessed Sacrament; 20. Unworthy Communion, followed by the act of reparation; 21. The General Judgment; 22. Heaven; 23. Education of Children ; 24. Perseverance; 25. Salutary Effects of the Cross. On the seventh day the fathers commenced to hear confessions. The concourse of people that surrounded the confessional was very great; there were seen persons of all ranks, ages, and conditions in life. The operations of grace and the acts of sincere repentance, which were the consolations of those who took part in this laborious ministry, will be revealed by our 70 Life of Father Bernard,

Lord on the last day for the glory of His divine mercies. The mission of Verviers was terminated, as is customary, by the erection of the cross—a touching ceremony, Avhich hell had in vain at¬ tempted to prevent. Never was there seen a larger procession in the city, or greater recol¬ lection in a crowd of more than twelve thou¬ sand persons. Sighs of contrition and repeated cries of “ Long live the cross! ” arose from this vast concourse of people at the sight of the sign of salvation. The recollected attitude of the people was another refutation of the calum¬ nies uttered by the anti-Christian party that spoke only of the disturbance of the public peace. Father Bernard, in one of his letters, alludes to the calumnies propagated by the press against the missionaries. “ I can assure you,” he says, “ we have had, thanks be to God, our share of sufferings. But the humble period of our Congregation has passed; henceforth we shall be no longer un¬ known. Verviers has raised us to an eminent position. We will hold on, and, with God’s grace, will courageously pursue our course.” Life of Father Beryiard, 71

I cannot omit relating a circumstance which reflects the religious soul of our missionary hero. Father Bernard, having resided only in Hol¬ land, Vienna, and Rome, at this time spoke French but imperfectly. Th? malicious jour¬ nals of Verviers did not fail to expose him to ridicule, and to exaggerate the faults of language that escaped him.* Being ap¬ pointed by Rev. Father Passerat to perform the acts of Reparation of Honor to the Blessed Sacrament, and of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin, Father Bernard threw himself on his knees, and begged him to take pity on his incapacity, and to release him from a duty which might be productive of no good. The venerable superior made him this severe reply: “ My son, your self-love causes you to speak thus.”

* These journalists were even lees sparing in their cri¬ ticisms on Father Ludwig, who was an Alsatian. “ The fastidious ones of the earth,” says Bossuet {Panegyrique de

Saint Paul) “ cannot understand how those who are ignorant of the art of speaking well can, with an unpolished form of speech and an accent which betrays the foreigner, succeed in calling the multitude to the practice of virtue.” 72 Life of Father Bernard.

Father Bernard, without any further remark, ascended the pulpit ; and the tears of the im¬ mense concourse were the recompense of his humility. We will now say a few words on the mission which was given during the months of March and April, 1835, in the parish of Louvegne, situ¬ ated between Verviers and Liege. Father Ludwig was superior of the mission, but Father Bernard assisted him with his usual apostolic zeal, and also by his musical talents. At the solemn planting of the cross he ascended a platform that had been erected in the church¬ yard, and spoke for an hour and a half, moving many to tears of love and contrition. At the first communion of the children that took place during the course of the mission, his melodious voice was heard singing hymns in French, as he accompanied himself on the organ. “We will courageously pursue our course.” Father Bernard kept his word. From the time of the memorable mission at Verviers until his first departure for America scarcely a month

Journal de Af. Kersten. vol. ii, p. 99. Life of Father Bernard. 73 passed in which he was not engaged in the work of the missions. Looking over the account of his apostolic labors, we find that his missions, his retreats to seminarians and to religious com¬ munities, his Lenten sermons, his instructions, etc., followed so closely on one another that the interval between these exercises did not exceed the time necessary to go from one place to the other.. If in the missions he succeeded to the extreme of his desires, it Avas generally at the cost of great sacrifices. A priest, and, above all, a missionary, who has zeal for the conquest of souls, must expect to meet enemies an., to see the passions excited against him. Our Divine Saviour warned his disciples of this: “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my words that I said to you : The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.'' What was the nature of these attacks ? They were frequently the expressions of a pitiably mean rationalism and of a jealous incredulity; they were the outbursts of the hatred of some ultra-liberal men in public office. To preach 74 Life of Father Bernard. missions, they said, is to disturb the conscience, to arouse fanaticism, to cause confusion and public disorder. It is needless to reply to such accusations. Eighteen hundred years ago the Jews accused, before the tribunal of Pilate, the first Missionary of the zvorld of having stirred up the people, of having rendered them fanati¬ cal by the preaching of his Gospel (Luke xxiii. 5). “ We see,” said Father Victor Dechamps, in 1846, “that the adversaries of missions have made no progress since the time of Pilate, and that they have for them, or rather against them, but the^terrible argument of the cause judged on Calvary.* Let them remember these-words of Jesus Christ: ‘For every one that doth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, that his works may not be reproved.’ ”

The concourse of people was often so great that the church could not contain them. Conse¬ quently, the fathers preached from a platform erected in the open air. This occurred at Sittard, a small city of Limburg. The crowd was so great that not only the great square was

* Saint Vincent et les Miserables, c. vi. Life of Father Bernard. 75 filled, but the windows and even the roofs of houses were crowded with listeners. On this mission Father Bernard preached in German for the first time; besides the short instructions, he delivered a sermon on scandal, the effects of which were very wonderful.^ At the closing ser¬ mon, which preceded the Papal benediction, and which was preached by the superior of the mis¬ sion, there were assembled from twenty-five to thirty thousand persons, although the popula¬ tion of the city consisted only of four thousand souls. It was a magnificent sight to see these thousands of human beings, affected to^ tears, raising their suppliant hands towards heaven. The content and happiness of these pious people were expressed in the evening by a grand illumi¬ nation and exclamations of joy and delight.* In the months of May and June of the same year still greater wonders were witnessed at Tongres. The narrow limits of this sketch do not permit us to enter upon the description of them.f I cannot, however, omit to say that

* yournal Hist, de M. Kersten, vol. ii. p. 48. f Ibid., p. 210. 76 Life of Father Ber^iard. the remembrance of the spiritual favors with • which the ministry of the Congregation blessed the inhabitants of Tongres remained engraven on their hearts, and not satisfied with a renewal of the mission in 1838, they desired to hear the

Redemptorists a third time in a Novena to the

Blessed Virgin, celebrated in August, 1841.

The principal part of this evangelical work was assigned to Father Bernard. Morning and even¬ ing he preached before the best families of the city on the sacraments, faith, the causes of unbe- . lief, the authority of the Church, and on the reading of bad journals, romances', etc. He ex¬ posed the absurdity of those free-thinkers who disregarded the authority of the Church estab¬ lished on divine and immovable foundations, while they crouch at the feet of miserable jour¬ nalists and writers of immoral books. In these discourses, says one who was present, he sur¬ passed himself in eloquence; magistrates and members of the bar, together with the popu¬ lace, admired, more than the beauty of his de¬ livery, the force of his logic, the connection and clearness of his arguments. During this no¬ vena the sermons were nearly all of a dogmatic Life of Father Bernard, 77

character, without losing anything of the per¬ spicuity and simplicity of language which the holy founder of the Redemptorists so forcibly recommended to his sons. This was Father Bernard’s custom whenever he preached in cities on other occasions than those of mis¬ sions. He was, however, never happy except when he drew the faithful to the confessional and to the holy table. And this holy joy was given him in 1841, in the ancient cities of Saint Maternus and Saint Servatius.* The mission of Tilff, which was called by Father Bernard the “famous mission,” opened March 24, 1838, under circumstances altogether unfavorable. Before the arrival of the mis¬ sionaries of the Convent of Liege, the liberal government notified the cure of an absolutely unconstitutional decree, which prohibited the planting of the cross in any part of the com¬ mune, and also all out-door preaching, without the written permission of the civil authorities. The letter charged the cur6 to inform the mis¬ sionaries of Articles 201 et seq. of the Penal Code. The fathers were nevertheless well received by

Journal de KersteUy vol. iii. p. 297. 78 Life of Father Bernard. the people. The exercises were conducted on the 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th, without the least sign of trouble. On the 30th another de¬ cree of four articles was posted on the door of the church, the first of which fan as follows: All out-door gatherings of more than five per¬ sons are forbidden during the sojourn of the missionaries in the commune.” The two decrees were annulled March 31, by the Baron Van den Steen, governor of the province. In consequence of this the Bishop of Liege ordered the missionaries to follow their entire course in preaching out of doors, if neces¬ sary, as well as in the planting of the cross. Irreligious liberalism did not acknowledge the defeat, Father Guersouille and Abbe Bremans, secre¬ tary to the bishop, were violently conducted be¬ yond the limits of the commune. Soldiers, rural guards, and some dozen clamorous persons took possession of the sanctuary, under pretext that the missionaries were strangers without pass¬ ports. Father Bernard was several times obliged to show himself at the window and bless the kneeling multitude, who, but for his interven- Life of Father Bernard. 79 tion, would have attacked the besiegers. The following day two fathers escaped from their prison and repaired to the church, preferring to be captives in the house of God than to remain inactive in the parish. Father Bernard in par¬ ticular exposed himself to the ignoble clamor- ings and to the outrages of a band of young men from Li6ge. Finally, the government of Leopold I. took the missionaries under its especial protection. A royal decree of April 3 guaranteed freedom of worship, and on the 6th of April the cross could be planted in the church-yard, notwithstanding the clamors of the enemies of religion. The mission of Tilff may be considered one of the most successful of those in which Father Bernard took part. The events which we have briefly related are not the only painful reminiscences of the mis¬ sion of Tilff. The cross was cut down and overthrown on the night of the 23d of April, 1838. A few days after the perpetration of this outrage, the authorities of the commune handed in a bill to the tribunal of justice at Li6ge, claiming church-yard property; but as delay was necessary, the suit turned to the con- 8o Life of Father Bernard.

fusion of impiety. The court of Liege declared, by a sentence of May 4, 1839, the claim of the commune of Tilff unfounded, and condemned the authorities of Tilff to pay the expenses of the lawsuit which they had commenced against ecclesiastical authority."^ Let us pass over these sacrilegious proceed¬ ings to return to the subject of this biography. We will mention a circumstance that occurred in a Walloon parish, and which shows Father Ber¬ nard’s never-failing presence of mind. The Re- demptorists, being conducted in procession to the village by the clergy and the pious faithful, found a mob formed against them. Having entered tlie church. Father Bernard boldly as¬ cended the pulpit, notwithstanding the threats of the multitude. He remained at .first per¬ fectly tranquil, slowly casting his looks over the agitated multitude, that was regardless of the holy place. “Unless you remain quiet,” he said at last in his firm voice, “ I will not tell you Avho we are.” The power of his voice having calmed the multitude, the orator con

* yournal de Kersten^ vol. v. pp. 39 and 246 ; also, vol. vi. pp. 41 and 84. Life of Father Bernard. 8i

tinned: “They say that we are, etc.; that we are, etc. And the foolish calumnies which they had spread were passed in review amid the sneers of the disturbers. But as the father pro¬ ceeded in his discourse their derision gave place to amicable feelings, and they listened with at¬ tentiveness. “This,” he added, “is my first point. You now know what we are and what we are not ; to tell you what we have come to do is my second point.” He then explained the object of the mission, announced the order of the public exercises, and explained the con¬ ditions necessary to hear with fruit the voice of God. After this singular sermon the success of the mission was no longer doubtful. It was not Father Bernard’s custom to re¬ fute the calumnies with which the enemies of religion filled their journals in order to foil the apostolic work. He knew the people of Belgium too well to suppose that the opposition with which he frequently met in the Walloon depart¬ ment came from their hearts. He triumphed over all these obstacles by the power of patience and of prayer, of talent and presence of mind. One of the most laborious and at the same time 82 Life of Father Bernard,

most consoling missions given by Father Ber¬ nard was that which was opened on the Epi¬ phany, 1839, Comblain-au-Pont, a village situated on the hills at the confluence of the Ourthe and the Ambl^ve. Let us hear how he himself relates what sacrifices the poor moun¬ taineers imposed upon themselves when touched by the grace of God. ‘‘When I saw,” he says, “ these good people, without distinction of age or condition, climbing the hills two or three times a day, despite the cold winds, to await, morning and evening, their turn at tlie confes¬ sional, and so benumbed with cold that they were obliged to go from time to time to the fire in the sacristy to prevent their feet from freez¬ ing ; when I saw that on certain days they could not ascend to the top of the hill without the as¬ sistance of a rope which I ordered to be ex¬ tended ; when I saw old men of seventy and eighty years led to. the church by their children, then I understood these words of our Divine Saviour: ‘ The poor are evangelized.’ Grace made the inhabitants of Comblain-au-Pont a happy people. It was another proof that ‘ the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.’ But I was Life of Father Bernard. 83

also required to make a slight sacrifice. Four days before the close of the mission I made a false step ; my foot slipped while I was descend¬ ing a small staircase, and I fell on my back. For three days I was obliged to keep my bed, and in this position I heard the confessions of the men. The impossibility of assisting my confreres at the close of the exercises would have caused me more' affliction than the bodily pain, had I not known that this accident did not happen with¬ out the will or permission of God. The day after the close of the mission I went away limping, but interiorly rejoicing that I had not only been able to labor, but also to suffer something for the love of God. If you wish to ask God to preserve me from another fall, I will permit you to do so; but if I can save some unfortunate sinner from falling into sin, I will willingly fall a second and even a third time.” Father Bernard, having recovered from his in¬

jury, resumed his labors. In speaking of the first mission which followed his recovery he writes: “In preaching the word of God and in hearing confessions I have gained more strength than I had lost by my illness.” It was said of 84 Life of Father Beriiard. ■ him at the convent: “ When Father Bernard is sick, it is only necessary to send him on a mis¬ sion ; to make him sweat profusely is sufficient to restore him completely.” Very true,” said he; “I have tried the experiment. In returning from Antheit* I was entirely cured. I felt my health restored after the famous mission of Tilff.”

* Antheit is about a league distant from Huy. CHAPTER VII.

FATHER BERNARD’S APOSTOLATE IN HOLLAND.

T N November, 1840, Father Bernard, assisted by several of his confreres of Saint Trond and by some of the secular clergy, gave a mis¬ sion at Maestricht which lasted two weeks. He preached there before persons belonging to all ranks of society; soldiers were seen at the side of the villagers ; Jews and Protestants mingled with Catholics, all listening in the silence of re¬ ligious attention. The missionary rejoiced at seeing the number of auditors daily increase, and thanked them for the eagerness with which they came to hear the teachings of religion. “ You have listened to me with sympathy,” he said, “as I have explained to you the sublime dogmas of our holy faith. These dogmas are the fructifying principles. I will now draw from them the practical conclusions, and I hope that

85 86 Life of Father Bernard. you will not fear to come to listen to them and conform your life to them.” These words were particularly addressed to the wealthy portion of the parish. The entire audience remained faithful. While the father dealt formidable blows, while he exposed the condition of sinners, questioned, threatened, terrified them, and still encouraged them with vehemence and mildness, grace visibly did its work, and soon the emotion of the multitude of six or seven thousand souls was at its height. They wept, sighed, and cries of repentance be¬ came so loud that the sonorous and penetrating voice of the preacher could scarcely be heard. The effect was particularly noticeable during the acts of Reparation, of Honor to the Blessed Sacrament, and of Consecration to the Mother of God, and at the close of the exercises. The concourse was so great that many were com¬ pelled to remain at the door, and others climbed to the windows of the church in order to hear the words of Father Bernard. Rarely has sacred eloquence been more efficacious. Returns to God were abundant, and often truly extraordi¬ nary. At their departure the fathers could Life of Father Bernard 87

scarcely tear themselves from the arms of the grateful inhabitants, who followed them and overwhelmed them with benedictions.* During the years 1841, 1842, 1843, ^^44 the fathers were continually at work in various parishes of Northern Brabant and in Limburg.f Although frequently opposed by the intrigues of the enemies of religious liberty, the holy ex¬ ercises everywhere produced consoling results. Considerable restitutions were often made; the poor and the working-classes became fervent Christians ; persons of rank who had until then been noted for their indifference returned to the practice of religion. There exists on this sub¬ ject sure information which the future historian of the Congregation of the Most Holy Re¬ deemer will not fail to record. At the mission of Bois-le-duc, in 1843, Father Bernard had acquired such a reputation, even among the Protestants, that the lieutenant- general, Count of Limbourg-Stirum, military commandant of the province, came with his staff to visit and to present his compliments to

* Journal Hist, de M. Kersten, vol. iii. p. 416. f Appendixes C and D. 88 Life of Father Bernard. the humble religious. la December of the same year (1843) ^ mission was given at Margraten, which was called the Model Mission. “The sermons,” says an account of that time, “ were delivered by the best preachers of Wit- tern, at the head of whom was Father Bernard, who may be called the apostle of Holland, so great is his zeal for the salvation of souls.”* Knowing the simple piety of the good inhabi¬ tants of Margraten, the fathers followed there the order which is observed in Italy. It con¬ sisted in having general communions for the different classes of persons; the first day was appointed for the children, the following days for married women and widows, then for married men and widowers, and finally for the young unmarried people. At six o’clock Father Ber¬ nard gave an instruction suitable to the state of life of those who approached the holy table; the instruction was followed by the singing of the “Veni Creator ” and the celebration of Mass. From the Offertory to the Communion the father recited the acts of the theological virtues, etc. At a sign given by the pastor the

* yournal Hist, de M. Kersten^ vol, xi. p. 42. Life of Father Bernard. 89

faithful approached the altar in the order ob¬ served by children at their first communion. What more touching than this simplicity ! The Catholic religion alone can offer so beautiful a spectacle; there is no other that can incite the faithful to such acts of humility. The reader is not to expect here a complete account of the uninterrupted labors of our missionary. Every week, day, and hour had its work. The exer¬ cises having been concluded in the church. Father Bernard found his way to the workshops to carry to the laborers the words of grace and salvation. He heard the confessions of the sick and infirm at their houses; he went in search of sinners even into their own dwellings, and he frequently had the consolation of bringing these strayed sheep back to the fold. At other times he was less successful in these labors inspired by his zeal. This proved t-o be the case at a mis¬ sion given at Breda (July, 1842). He thought it his duty to seek an interview with General Baron Chass6, who had acquired a sad reputation in the Belgian Revolution,* and led a retired but irre-

* Baron Chass6, commander of the fortress of Antwerp, unmercifully bombarded that city in 1830. 90 Life of Father Bernard. ligious life in Breda. The general received him with much politeness, but not without surprise ; he did not give him an opportunity to introduce his subject. “Father,” he said to him, “you would have done well had you become a soldier.” “ And you, general,” replied Father Bernard, “ would not have done wrong had you become one of us; you could have rendered eminent service to the Church.” The soldier did not appear to take offence at the compliment, but immediately changed the conversation. In parting the father affection¬ ately pressed his hand, saying, with a significant look: “ General, the moment to leave this world will soon arrive; I wish you a happy death.” Chasse was much affected on hearing these unexpected words, but unfortunately this con¬ versation was productive of no good result: the general was a Calvinist. At the mission of Breda a magistrate of the city, who was baptized in the Catholic Church, but who bore ill-will towards the fathers, pre¬ sented himself at the residence of the pastor Life of Father Bernard, 91

where they lodged, and demanded their passports, without which, he said, they would not be al¬ lowed to remain in Brabant. The fathers not having these documents with them, Father Ber¬ nard very decidedly replied: “ I am a Hollander; I do not, then, recognize the authority of the government to prohibit my sojourn or my preaching in Brdda. This even¬ ing I will ascend the pulpit, and will tell the faithful that, in consequence of your prohibition, the mission will be discontinued from that mo¬ ment. But it is useless to add, sir, that the con¬ sequences of this resolution will be imputed to you ; you will be responsible, understand it well, for whatever happens. I advise you to be pru¬ dent ; for you cannot be ignorant of the feelings of all the Catholics of your city towards us.’* This courageous reply quite disconcerted the functionary; but he had recourse to another expedient. He applied to the governor of the province, M. Borret, who was a sincere Catholic and much attached to the fathers, and asked him to act according to the law. M. Borret baffled the intrigue, without, however, failing in his duty. After a delay of a few days he wrote 92 Life of Father Bernard.

to the magistrate, and informed him that the Redemptorists had a house at Wittem, which belonged to a province of the kingdom, and consequently did not need passports. At the same time he requested the magistrate to en¬ quire whether the missionaries of Breda be¬ longed to the house of Wittem, adding that he awaited the result of the investigation before taking further steps. In the meantime the ex¬ ercises continued with such success that. the magistrate saw that it would not be worth the trouble to urge the matter at the risk of drawdng upon himself the indignation of the entire city. The public prayers and sermons produced during this mission still greater fruits of grace and sal¬ vation. I cannot omit relating another incident which shows us both the courage of our missionary and the kind of enemies he encountered. On the very day of the opening of the mission at Grave, in Northern Brabant, a circus troupe came to give an exhibition to the public. This was apparently a plot formed by some bad cha¬ racters of the place, who aimed at preventing the holy exercises. But Father Bernard was so Life of Father Bernard, 93

sure of the good dispositions of his auditors that he hoped, by the grace of God, to make the troupe leave the city. “ My brethren,” he said from the pulpit, an infernal plot has been formed against you; a circus troupe has come from Antwerp, bringing you frivolous amusements and dissipation. We, the ministers of the Most High, have come to preach recollection, penance, and return to God. Heaven and hell cannot be united? Con¬ sequently, I make the painful announcement that the mission, which ought to constitute your happiness, has been interrupted, and it discon¬ tinues from this moment. . . . Saint Alphonsus acted in the same manner under similar circum¬ stances ; we must imitate his great example, and abandon ybu to yourselves.” At this announcement the people were thun¬ derstruck, and the religious portion of the popu¬ lation used violence to prevent the departure of the fathers. The burgomaster interceded with the villagers to request the fathers not to carry out the resolution they had announced in .the church. He said that the troupe had come without his knowledge, and, by an unfortunate 94 Life of Father Bernard.

coincidence, precisely at the time of the mission. Father Bernard, nevertheless, remained firm, and informed the magistrate that worldly amuse¬ ments and religious ceremonies could in no wise be united. The burgomaster agreed to this ; and, fearing a disturbance if the fathers should leave, pro¬ mised to use his efforts to obviate all diffi¬ culties. The manager of the circus came to apologize to the fathers of the mission, and openly avowed that they had been sent for by some residents of the city. He, moreover, promised to leave, if the fathers would give him one hundred florins to defray expenses. Father Bernard laughingly replied that, not having called them to Grave, he would not pay their travelling expenses; that they were free to remain, and the fathers would leave that instant. The manager was not a little surprised at this firmness, and the civil magistrate was left in embarrassment. From the dispositions of the inhabitants they were wise enough to see that the best plan was to abandon their designs and to decamp. The, next day, to the great disappointment of the Life of Father Bernard. 95

wicked, the circus was closed, and the manager with his troupe returned to Antwerp. The mis¬ sion was crowned with success ; with the excep¬ tion of a few hardened sinners, the entire popu¬ lation approached the holy sacraments. The mission at Hulst, in Zealand, afforded Fa¬ ther Bernard another opportunity of showing his presence of mind and the energy of his character. On the arrival of the three missionaries before the residence of the dean of the city, the street was blockaded by a crowd of curious spectators, and a gendarme with official air placed himself •in front of the carriage in which the fathers were seated. “ Take care,” said Father Bernard with com¬ posure to the father who accompanied him, ‘‘ we will have many difficulties to encounter here.” His anticipation of difficulties—I dare not say his fear—was verified. On the evening of the third day another gen¬ darme rang the bell at the dean’s door, and asked to speak with his three guests. Father Bernard quieted his two confreres and the af¬ frighted dean, and communicated to them the 96 Life of Father Bernard.

plan he had devised. He proposed to interro¬ gate the gendarme, while his two companions filled the respective offices of clerk and usher. The father, seated in an arm-chair, addressed the gendarme with the gravity of a judge. My friend, what do you wish?” “ I am sent by my lieutenant; I did not come of my own accord.” “ Do not be uneasy about that; but who is your lieutenant ? ” “ Mr. N-, of Ghent.” “And what does he want with us?” “ I am to enquire whether you are strangers • or not.” “ Go and tell Mr. N-that we are natives of Holland, and that we exercise our ministry in Holland. And now, another word : should your lieutenant desire to know more, let him address himself to the chief authorities of the Hague; they will teach him how to treat the subjects of the king.” The poor gendarme, covered with confusion, commenced to stammer out excuses, and told his judge that he had also orders to learn the impression produced by his sermons. “ And on Life of Father Bernard, 97 this point,” he said, “ I will be able to speak from experience ; for, although a Protestant, I have listened to your sermons, and they have deeply affected me.” He then took a humble leave of the fa¬ thers. It was thus that Father Bernard put in prac¬ tice the excellent advice which had been given him by his old teacher, M. Van Bommel: “ Re¬ ply to the evil-disposed by questions, and force them to submit to be questioned, instead of submitting yourself.” Those who know the mysteries of grace and its connection with suffering and prayer will not be surprised at the prodigious influence ex¬ ercised by Father Bernard, He possessed, it is true, all the human endow¬ ments which are necessary for a great orator,— “ vir bonus dicendi peritiis.” Of majestic ap¬ pearance, possessed of strong and flexible voice, rare facility of expression, ardent language, pro¬ found science—all were united harmoniously in his person. But his true power of expression came from higher sources; it flowed from his lively faith and his ardent love for Jesus Christ, 98 Life of Father Bernard,

for the Church, and for souls. This triple love was the principle of his zeal and the source of his most beautiful inspirations. “ He was not only a man powerful in words— as but few men are—but he was also powerful in prayer. He possessed the spirit of prayer, which accompanied him in all his actions; and two things contributed with prayer to render his actions efficacious, or rather supernatural—these were his lively faith and his love of the cross. God always mingled bitterness with his success. I know it; he often confided it to me.” Such is the testimony given of him by his confrere and colaborer, the Rev. Father Victor De¬ champs, at present Archbishop of Mechlin. The reader will no doubt be pleased to hear Mgr. Dechamps again : “While yet a novice at Saint Trond I at¬ tended a mission sermon preached in the open air by Father Bernard before thousands of lis¬ teners. The master of novices. Father Villani,*

* Canon Villani, a professor of the Episcopal Seminary of Tourna)% became a religious in 1833, taking the name of Vil¬ lani, in honor of P, Andrew Villani, who was Saint Alphon- sus’ confessor. M. Villani received his eminent pupil, Victor Life of Father Bernard. 99 a saintly man, seeing the impression produced on this weeping audience, addressed to me these words, which I shall never forget: “ ‘ What a misfortune would it not have been had such a man not become a missionary ! See what it is to follow one’s vocation !' “ I will give an example of his style of preach¬ ing and instructing. I was engaged in giving a mission at Chenee, near Lidge. Father Bernard arrived a few. days after the opening of the mis¬ sion, and asked me what was to be the subject of the sermon at High Mass. I answered that the order of exercises called for contrition, and I added: “‘You could not have guessed it; are you prepared ? ’ “ He replied : ‘ I will tell them the same thing four times, but in different ways; I hope thus to be understood.’ “ And he proceeded in the following order: First, he explained what contrition is; secondly, that which is but the appearance; thirdly, he re-

Augustus Dechamps, into the Congregation of the ^lost Holy Redeemer, and was his director in the novitiate at Saint Trond. Father Villani died a holy death in 1838. 100 Life of Father Bernard. presented to them a man who was really con¬ trite ; and, fourthly, one who was not contrite in the confessional nor elsewhere, neither before nor after the mission. I can say that one might have seen his words sinking into souls: ‘ Usque ad divisionem animae et spiritus.’ The true principle of his life, as religious and missionary, is found in the resolutions and prayers written by himself in a book of which he constantly made use.'* CHAPTER VIII.

FATHER Bernard’s first voyage to AMERICA.

'P'ATHER BERNARD’S apostolate was not ^ confined to the European continent; Pro¬ vidence so disposed events as to transfer his talents and labors to the New World. We will first give an account of how the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer was introduced into the United States. At the request of Bishop Fenwick, of Cincinnati, Fathers Saenderle, Het- scher, and Tschenhers, accompanied by three lay brothers, left Vienna in 1832, and entered upon the work of the missions in the Diocese of Cincinnati, which at that time included that of Detroit. For six years they struggled against difficulties which rendered the establish¬ ment of a regular house impossible ; they could only establish stations at Norwalk, at Saint Mary’s among the Indians, and at Arbre- Croche. This last station, the most important

TOI 102 Life of Father Bernard.

of the three, was placed under the direction of Father Saenderle. The first object of the Re- demptorists was to establish a central house which would serve as a rallying-point. Aban¬ doning their first posts, they established them¬ selves in 1839 Pittsburg,* which then belonged to the Diocese of Philadelphia. The following year the zealous Archbishop Eccleston, of Balti¬ more, made the Congregation advantageous offers of a church and a house, on condition that the fathers would devote themselves to the spiritual care of the German population of Baltimore, which comprised nearly four thousand souls. The proposal was accepted, and a new party of Redemptorists left Europe in January, 1841. Father Alexander Cvitchkowitz,. the former rector of the house at Wittem, left London with four young priests, three of whom had com¬ pleted their studies at Wittem. Maryland soon recognized the existence of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. In 1842 the Fathers were established in New York; in 1843, Phila¬ delphia; and in 1845, Buffalo. The same

* The Convent of Pittsburg was the first that was founded by the Redemptorists in the United States of America. Life of Father Bernard. 103

year (1845) Father Frederick de Held, the first Provincial of Belgium,* repaired to America in order to make a canonical visitation of the com¬ munities that had just been established there. He selected Father Bernard as the companion of .his voyage and labors. The duties which Father Bernard had yet to perform prevented his bidding farewell to his beloved parents; but, resigned and submissive, he offered this painful sacrifice to God, hastily made his preparations, and joy¬ fully commenced his voyage on the nth of April, 1845. Embarking at Ostend, our two religious directed their course to London, and from thence to Liverpool, where they were joined by three other Redemptorists. Oil the 19th of April, it being Saturday, they left Liver¬ pool on board the steamer Hibernia, under the protection of the Immaculate Virgin, Star of the Sea. The first days of the voyage passed by very quietly; but on the 21st of April, about eight o’clock in the evening, a fire broke out in the kitchen, and the flames were extinguished

* The province of Belgium was canonically erected July 2, 1841. A decree of the Propaganda attached the Redemp¬ torists of America to the province of Belgium. 104 Bemard. with great difficulty. During the night of the 25th of April the sea became very stormy, and a new danger threatened them. On the follow¬ ing night the' tempest raged furiously. The violent and irregular motion of the ship, the howling of the winds, the cries of the sailors and passengers, all contributed to -increase the terror. On the 29th a new danger arose. The ocean presented a frightful spectacle : icebergs as high as mountains struck the side of the steamer, causing great damage to the wheels. Our fa¬ thers considered themselves at the point of death, thought only of their last hour, and heard each other’s confessions. To add to the misfortune, the rudder-chain broke, and the steamer was abandoned, in the middle of the night, to the mercy of the winds and waves. Contrary to all expectations, an Irish vessel, which was in search of seal that were couching on the ice, approached and kindly offered assist¬ ance. By the aid of the Irish sailors the Hi¬ bernia was delivered from danger on the 1st of May, the Feast of the Ascension. But another danger still awaited them. In the night of the 2d of May the passengers were suddenly Life of Father Bernard. 105

aroused from sleep by a cry of distress. Another iceberg threateningly and rapidly advanced ; but fortunately the crew got quickly to work and prevented the collision. Had they delayed but a minute, the vessel would have been buried in the abyss.* In these critical moments Father Bernard suf¬ fered all the miseries of sea-sickness, but his courage never wavered. He gives an account of this perilous voyage in a letter in which we read these lines, that afford another proof of his piety: “ Do not think I exaggerate in relating to you the triple danger to which we were exposed. But my principal regret was not to be able to say Mass. Where could the need of the divine mysteries be more sensibly felt than in the ter¬ rible position in which we found ourselves ? But God gave me grace to believe in his Provi¬ dence, and I repeated interiorly the words of the Psalmist : ‘ Ignis, grando, nix, glacies, spiritus procellarum, quae faciunt verbum ejus’—‘Fire, hail, snow, ice, the winds and

* See letter of Rev. Father de Held to Rev. Father De¬ champs, in Appendix F. io6 Life of Father Bernard, tempests, obey his will/ When in my state¬ room, kneeling at the feet of Father Provincial, I made my general confession, which I believed to be the last of my life; when I renewed my religious vows, my soul, it is true, recoiled from appearing before its Sovereign Judge in the midst of the ocean. But when, on the other hand, I reflected that I was at sea by the will of God, in the interest of our dear Congrega¬ tion, at the side of our beloved superior, to whom I had resolved to attach myself until my last moment, then—yes, then—I repeated the above words of the Psalmist with the gratitude of a child towards God, and I felt comforted. I promised him that if it pleased him to save my life, I would serve him in future more faithfully, and would labor more zealously for the salvation of my neighbor than I had hitherto done., I pressed to my heart my crucifix, my rosary, and my rule; for, if it was the will of God, I desired to die like a true Redemptorist.” The following incident is characteristic of Fa¬ ther Bernard. His lively faith caused him to see the work of the devil in the furious tempest from which the fathers were saved. He went Life of Father Bernard. 107 upon the deck of the vessel, and, taking a hand¬ ful of blessed medals, cast them into the waves, as if to exorcise the sea. In relating this cir¬ cumstance to a confrere he said : It is true that we believe sufficiently in the presence of God ; perhaps we think too seldom of the presence and action of the devil. I learned this from an old person ; it is, moreover, something which I have often experienced my¬ self. It sometimes happened that I trembled in all my limbs before ascending the pulpit, even in the smallest villages. I had recourse to private exorcism, and every time I felt the salutary effects of them. In the same way I have fre¬ quently opened the lips of persons in the confes¬ sional which false shame, caused by Satan, had sealed.” Father Bernard practised it himself, and re¬ commended the use of private exorcism as an excellent remedy against sacrilegious confessions. For he who is convinced of the power of the devil, and believes in the supernatural, finds nothing therein which is not credible. Does not Saint Paul teach us that we must combat against the evil powers that fill the darkness that io8 Life of Father Bernard. surrounds us? * But to return to the voyage of

1845. • When the missionaries arrived at Halifax, the provincial offered the Holy Sacrifice, after which the fathers recited the hymn of praise to God for having, in his merciful protection, preserved them from death. In August of the same year, 1845, they left the snores of America to return to Europe, and on the 9th of September Father Bernard, after a prosperous voyage, again found himself in the midst of his confreres at the Con¬ vent of Wittem. During his short absence he not only visited, with Father de Held, the vari¬ ous communities of the Congregation, but also studied the religious character of the inhabitants, particularly of the Catholics. The cities of Bos¬ ton, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pitts¬ burg, Rochester, Buffalo, Monroe, Chicago, had nearly all witnessed the power of his eloquence. He labored with fruit amongst those who for many years had not seen a priest. Many bishops learned to know and to appreciate him as the type of a missionary, as a man capable of

Eph. vi. Life of Father Bernard. 109

doing great things. Father Bernard’s corre¬ spondence testified to the ardor with which he endeavored to obtain information on all the questions which occupied the American clergy, as education, the scarcity of priests and churches, the absence of a truly Christian spirit in the great mass of the people, the prose- lytism carried on by the sects which overrun the United States. His superiors had particularly this end in view in giving him as a companion to the visitor. This was to be an exploring tour, an immediate preparation for the apostolic ca¬ reer that awaited Father Bernard beyond the seas; and as in Belgium, and particularly in Liege, he had given the strongest impulse to the work of the missions, so he was destined to extend it to the New World, and to introduce there the salutary influence of the priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The progress of the Congregation in America was very remarkable after the foundation of the convent at Pittsburg. The labors of the fathers in behalf of poor Catholics, and es¬ pecially of the German immigrants, gained for them the affection of all. Many among no Life of Father Bernard, them terminated their earthly career with the reputation of extraordinary virtue. We will name but Father Francis Poilvache, who died at Monroe, January 26, 1848, and Father Czackert, who died on the 2d of the fol¬ lowing September, a victim to his charity, in administering to those who were attacked with the yellow fever, which broke out in New Or¬ leans.*

*See Appendix G, Sketch of the Life of Father Poilvache. CHAPTER IX.

FATHER BERNARD RESUMES HiS APOSTOLIC LABORS IN BELGIUM.

CARCELY had Father Bernard returned to Wittem when he resumed the course of his usual labors, and until January, 1848, we find him nearly every month engaged in giving two or three missions or other religious exercises. I have already spoken of the mission which was given at Hulst in 1845. Father Bernard there triumphed over the ill-will of some men by his great energy, and over irreligion by his per¬ suasive eloquence. The same year he had the happiness to reconcile to God the half-savage in¬ habitants of the heath called “ Het Heiken,” on the confines of the barony of Breda and the marquisate of Berg-op-Zoom.* At the grand jubilee of Li6ge, celebrated in 1846, on the occasion of the sixth centennial

See Appendix H. 12 Life of Father Bernard.

commemoration of the institution of the festival of Corpus Christi, many Redemptorists were en¬ gaged in the twofold ministry of preaching and hearing confessions. Father Bernard, who direct¬ ed the exercises in the Church of Saint Denis, preached every evening. The eloquence of Fa¬ ther Dechamps resounded in the cathedral, rival¬ ling that of Parisis, Giraud, Ravignan, Dupan- loup, and other orators of no less renown. The jubilee of Li6ge was productive of immense good. God, the just appreciator of the works of man, alone knows the share of merit that will fall to the sons of Saint Alphonsus for the great zeal which they displayed in these exercises.* For two successive terms Father Bernard was prefect of the second novitiate, which Saint Al¬ phonsus, in his Constitutions, prescribes as an immediate preparation for the missionary career. He possessed great art in encouraging the young priests under his direction, and in communicating to them the sacred fire of which they stood in need. According to the testimony of a father who lived with him, there never was a professor

*Histoire du dioche de Liige^ de M. Daris, vol. iv. pp. 372-375; Journal Hist, vol. xiii. p. 145. Life of Father Berjiard. 113

of sacred eloquence who could more successful¬ ly develop the oratorical talents of his pupils; after hearing him the most timid felt that they could preach. The prefect was justly appreci¬ ated by his superiors. This is proved by the fol¬ lowing letter, sent from Vienna by the Most Rev. Vicar-General to the fathers of the second Novitiate at Liege : . “ You are, then, going to take your flight. Soon you will fly; and as the bird is known by soaring, I hope to see in you, under so good a master, and one of so good a will, birds uplifted by the Holy Spirit. You are going to fly, not as a balloon—the work of the mind of man, who knows not whether it will be driven to the brink of a precipice or into the water—but as a spar¬ row or a wise turtle-dove, that never loses sight of its nest, where it takes refuge with its little ones, and is sheltered from the birds of prey. Fly, then, neither too high nor too far, so as to forget your novitiate, and the good resolutions that, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you have formed. You have a good master; engrave in your minds and in your hearts the lessons that his virtue and experience dictate to you. 114 Life of Father Bernard.

in order to be able to unite the active with the contemplative life.

Joseph Passerat, C.SS.R., “ Vicar-General.”

Father Bernard had been sent to Li6ge to or¬ ganize and establish the second novitiate. He remained in this city from January, 1848, until the following October. The moment was now at hand to open the campaign in the American continent. This called for a veteran, inured to war, and one who was not to be overcome by obstacles. Experience, activity, energy of char¬ acter, robust health, and, above all, a spirit of self-abnegation, were necessary to ensure suc¬ cess. These qualities were all found united in an eminent degree in the prefect of the seconds novitiate. Hence he was appointed to the im¬ portant post of vice-provincial of all the houses and stations of the Congregation in North America, and,- invested with this office, he left Europe for the second time. Before commenc¬ ing his voyage, he went to Bavaria and Austria, in hopes of procuring some useful and zealous co-laborers. He communicated to his family Life of Father Bernard 115 the news of his intended departure in such a way that all their anxiety was dispelled : “ What is, after all, this small sacrifice made to Saint Alphonsus in comparison to all the favors for which I am indebted to him ? I will be exceedingly happy when I hear that my rela¬ tives are as satisfied and as content as I am, and that my whole family, above all, my good mother, will adore with resignation the amiable decrees of Providence.” His mother was this time to bear alone the greatness of the sacrifice ; for his father had piously yielded his soul to God on the 28th of September, 1846, the eve of the feast of his patron. Saint Michael. The pious lady did not allow herself to be overcome by grief; and although her maternal heart heaved many sighs when her Bernard, returning from Germany, came to bid her farewell, still she did not the less courageously consign her child into the hands of her Saviour. CHAPTER X.

FATHER BERNARD’S APOSTOLATE IN THE

UNITED STATES.

N the 20th of December, 1848, Father Bernard embarked at Southampton with four fathers of the order and ten nuns.* A few days after their departure such a violent storm arose that the captain declared that during the twenty-six years of his maritime life he had never witnessed a similar tempest. The vessel was frightfully tossed about; the cabin, which contained the sisters, was filled with water, and they thought their last hour had come. But, thanks to the captain’s presence of mind, and thanks, above all, to the divine protection, the ship was saved, and it anchored in the harbor of New York January 8, 1849. From New York the vice-provincial went to Baltimore, and fixed his residence in that city. After having investigated the condition of his

* yournal Hist, de M. Kersten, vol. xv. p. 356. Life of Father Bernard, iiy

religious family and of the Catholic population, he visited, in January and February, the cities of Pittsburg, Cincinnati, St. Louis, New Orleans, and several other places, braving the cold of winter and undergoing all kinds of hardships. “Occupations,” he wrote, “are not wanting. Tlie great responsibility to God, who has called me, and to our Congregation, that has sent me here, weighs heavily upon me. Little crosses are met with everywhere, and particularly by those who have the responsibility of governing; but when I see what others do and suffer here for God and for his Holy Church, I find my cross exceedingly light. . . . Tell all our fathers and brothers, all our acquaintances at Liege, all the benefac¬ tors of the Congregation, that I am well and always cheerful.” On returning to Baltimore at the close of Feb¬ ruary, he made, after a rest of three weeks, a tour of nearly nine hundred miles. He visited successively New York, Philadelphia, Rochester, Buffalo, and Pittsburg, preaching there, accord¬ ing to exigencies, in German, English, and French. No one could have been happier than he when he labored in Rochester among the 118 Life of Father Bernard,

French Canadians, who collected there on Sun¬ days at the house of the fathers. Three-fourths of them had not seen a priest for twenty or thirty years. In Buffalo he; superintended, rule in hand, the construction of a church; in New York he was, to use his own expressioh, nailed to his desk—he whose life had been until then but one public action. “ In heaven alone will repose be given me,” he writes ; “ and its joys, being eternal, will suffice.” In May, 1849, invited by the American episcT)pacy to take part in- the Seventh Provin¬ cial Council of Baltimore, in which he actively assisted the heads of the dioceses in their syno¬ dal deliberations. At the same period he com¬ menced to build a convent in that city, the ex¬ penses of which were chiefly defrayed by his friends in the Netherlands. He brought spirit¬ ual consolation to Catholics that were scattered in other places. At Uniontown he assembled the people every Sunday in a room to hear Mass. At Taneytown he could assemble them but once a month in a dilapidated house. He spent ten days at the German colony of St. Mary’s, which was entrusted to the care of his confreres. He Life of Father Bernard, 119 travelled through the whole colony, sometimes on foot, at others on horseback. In this manner he penetrated dense forests and made his way over roads that were almost impassable. After some months’ sojourn in Baltimore, he again went to Rochester and Buffalo to inspect the buildings in course of construction ; thence he proceeded to Detroit. According to the wishes of Bishop Lef^vre, he undertook his first mis¬ sion in the United States. He preached for nine days in succession, three and often four times every day. He had rarely experienced such great consolation on a mission, on account of the diffi¬ culties with which he was met; “ for,” he wrote, “the Canadians of Michigan, having been neg¬ lected for a long time on account of the scarcity of priests, are not easily converted; they are lukewarm and ignorant of all that regards re¬ ligion.” At the closing of the exercises he established the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Sovereign Pastor of souls. He then visited Monroe, where his heart was filled with consolation at seeing the many bless¬ ings that God had bestowed on the German, French, and English Catholics by the zealous 120 Life of Father Bernards labors of his confreres ; he then returned to Bal¬ timore, where he placed himself with renewed ardor at his writing-desk. But all was not joy and happiness in a foreign land. The Congregation experienced a great loss by the fall of the steeple of the new church at Buffalo ; they were also necessitated to aban¬ don the colony of St. Mary’s, owing to a lawsuit and to pecuniary embarrassments. At Pittsburg the bigoted portion of the population, excited by the Protestant street-preachers, came one day to assault the fathers in their dwelling and in the church. They went to the last extremity, when the fathers, by the advice of the vice-provincial, handed over the keys to the mayor, who, be¬ coming responsible, stationed cannon around the buildings and dispersed the cowardly mob. These were sad trials, but Father Bernard was not to be discouraged. At the close of the year he wrote to his mother that he was' always cheer¬ ful and happy. “ If heaven blesses me,” he said, “ I attribute all to your prayers. I have now attained my forty-second year, and may yet be obliged to tread more than one thorny path, for in this Life of Father Bernard. I2I

country nothing is gained without great diffi¬ culty ; but I leave all to God, who comforts me, and to his Holy Mother, whom I love and honor.” After having blessed the new church at Cum¬ berland by the order and in the name of the Archbishop of Baltimore, he made another trip to New Orleans. In consideration of the con¬ tinually increasing population in that city, he commended to the fathers the erection of a new convent. After the completion of this building he preached in three languages to the emigrants who had gone there to seek their fortunes. Al¬ though the sentiments -of religion were very weak in that section of the United States, he left it full of hope for the future. Provided with jurisdiction for all the abandoned stations through which he passed, he visited Mobile, Montgomery, Opelousas, Griffin, Atlanta, Au¬ gusta, Charleston, Wilmington, and Richmond. He frequently met with destitute Catholics, whom he instructed in the Divine Word; he often came in contact with the poor slaves, whom he consoled in their misfortunes. Fi¬ nally, he returned to Rochester, where the new 122 Life of Father Bernard. church had been completed, and the building of a convent was already commenced. Father Bernard spent but one year in the United States. In April, 1850, he visited De¬ troit and Monroe, where the fathers had achieved the most consoling results. Churches and con¬ vents were multiplied or enlarged. The fathers were of the most exemplary zeal; confraterni¬ ties and charitable associations of all kinds had been established, many conversions had been effected, many apostasies had been prevented. Thus, when, in the middle of the year 1850, he returned to Europe to assist at the assembly of the provincials at Bischenberg, in Alsatia,* he could represent the United States as a country blessed by God, and one that only awaited an increase of apostolic labors to become a land of astonishing fertility. Pope Pius IX. having, on the 22d of June, 1850, erected the American houses into a separate province. Father Bernard was promoted to the rank of provincial by the

* Bischofsberg, commonly called Bischenberg, “ Moun¬ tain of the Bishop,” is situated five leagues from Strasbourg. In 1820 Father Passerat there established a community of Re- demptorists in a convent which had been abandoned. Life of Father Bernard. 123 assembly at Bischenberg, and in this capacity crossed the Atlantic for a third time. In De¬ cember, before his departure, he went to Amster¬ dam to visit his mother and to pass some days at the convent of the Redemptorists which had re(?lintly been erected in that city. As the Catholics were then celebrating the Papal Ju¬ bilee, he made it his duty to sit in the tribu¬ nal of penance, where he heard confessions in French, German, and Italian. Every opportu¬ nity of doing good to souls appeared to him one of those good fortunes that a Redemptorist can¬ not let pass. CHAPTER. XL

FATHER BERNARD’S APOSTOLATE IN THE

UNITED STATES—CONTINUED. ^

the 27th of January, 1851, Father Ber- nard left the port of Havre with the Re- demptorists, among whom was P'ather Charles Louis De Landtsheer, formerly Vicar of Melsele, in the Diocese of Ghent. The voyage was beset with dangers; several times the vessel was on the point of foundering. But heaven protected its servants, and they had the good fortune of anchoring in the harbor of New York, on the feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, 1851. During his sojourn at Amsterdam, in Decem¬ ber, 1850, our missionary visited the maternal roof and embraced his mother for the last time. She died a holy death on the 25th of January, 1851. This painful news reached Fa¬ ther Bernard when in New York. It is touching to read the lines in which he communicates to his brothers and sisters the grief of his soul; it 124 Life of Father Beryiard. 125 was Saint Augustine mourning the death of Saint Monica. “ I cannot conceal it,” he says ; “ although for twenty years. I have made to God the sacrifice of my parents and of my family, the death of my mother has not the less deeply afflicted me. Ah ! I know that I was her child—the child of an incomparable mother! We have known her in life ; her death has caused us to see still more clearly what a treasure the infinite goodness of God had given us in the tenderness of this cher¬ ished mother ! Ah ! how happy you are, you who have seen our mother on her bed of suffer- ing; you who have been able to address to her words of consolation, to give her the last filial kiss! It should be an alleviation to your grief tQ have witnessed her passage to a better^ife ; to have been able to entertain yourselves with her. As to myself, I find no one here who understands me when I speak of this good mother, when I mourn her loss. All I can do is to prostrate myself before my crucified Saviour, and to offer him as a son the sacrifice of the dearest of mothers. Ah ! more than ever do I thank God for all she has done for you and for me. I un- 126 Life of Father Bernard.

ceasingly recommend her soul to him. Oh ! may our last end be like unto hers.” This tenderness in the heart of a religious may perhaps surprise those who do not know that the religious life does not stifle the sentiments of na¬ ture, but purifies and sanctifies them. The com¬ plete consecration of the heart to God does not require us to be less affectionate to man. “ The most austere virtue,” says Father Lacor- daire, “ does not exclude affection, but elevates and moderates it by mingling with our nature an element more than human.” This sad event placed Father Bernard in pos¬ session of a considerable estate. After finishing a retreat he thus wrote to one of his brothers : “ In meditating on the poverty of my Jesus in the stable of Bethlehem I‘made a vow to pos¬ sess nothing on earth.” In consequence he made a donation of five thousand florins, to the Netherlands for the school of Saint Vincent de Paul which had been erected at Amsterdam ; as to the rest of his patrimony, he left it at the disposal of his superiors for the benefit of the churches of the Congregation in America. Life of Father Bernard. 127

On the 2d of April, 1852, Father Bernard met with a new affliction in the death of Father Landtsheer, who was carried off by typhoid fever, which broke out among the immigrants in New York. This young missionary, who had been but one year in America, “ died like a saint, a victim to his charity for his brothers.*’ This is the testimony given of him by Father Ber¬ nard.* For twenty years the sons of Saint Alphonsus had watered with their sweat the soil of the New. World ; it was now time to cultivate it with order and to sow an abundant harvest. The work of evangelization must be accomplished by an uninterrupted succession of evangelical la¬ bors. The series of missions commenced in April, 1851, in Saint Joseph’s Church, New York, was regularly carried on by several priests of the Congregation. The provincial, like a true general, fought at the head of this pacific army. He went from city to city, from State to State, giving the exercises, which were often prolonged for four weeks. The sermons were everywhere

j * Revue Caiholique de Louvaitiy v. x. p. 174. 128 Life of Father Bernard.

followed by remarkable conversions, the work of divine grace. The cathedral in New York, which accommodates from three thousand five hundred to four thousand persons, was filled even to the altar-steps. A dense mass of eager listeners thronged the church and crowded the entrances. Some climbed to the windows of the church, in order to hear the sermons. One day Father Bernard spoke on the mercy of God, as he alone knew how to speak of it ; and such was the impression he made on his audience that they sobbed aloud. The immense good he did on this occasion is known to God alone. It -was thus, according to the unanimous con¬ sent of witnesses, that the Congregation entered upon a career of prosperity, under the direction and through the apostolate of our Redemp- torist. -#■ We recall here with pleasure a circumstance which proves the exalted esteem which the American provincial enjoyed at this time in the Eternal City. The bishops of the United States had pro¬ posed Father John Nepomucene Neumann for the episcopal see of Philadelphia, which was left Life of Father Bernard, 129

vacant, in 1851, by the translation of Rt. Rev. Francis Patrick Kenrick to the archiepiscopal see of Baltimore. Father Victor Dechamps, who w'as then in Rome, engaged in matters of busi¬ ness concerning the Congregation, was charged to hand to.Cardinal Barnabo, Prefect of the Propaganda, a letter from the Rev, Father Rudolph de Smetana, successor to the Rev. Father Passerat as vicar-general, together with a letter from Father Bernard, who was Fa¬ ther Neumann’s provincial. Both humbly re¬ quested the Sovereign Pontiff not to deprive the family of Saint Alphonsus of so useful a member as was the candidate of the American bishops. The cardinal-prefect opened the two letters, and, on discovering that one bore the signature of Father Bernard, exclaimed : “ Ah ! Father Bernard. He too would be an excellent bishop. I understand how, from his point of view, he had reasons for wishing to prevent the nomination of Father Neumann; but the Holy Father has reasons for not grant¬ ing his desire.” Father Neumann was preconized bishop in 1852. He occupied the episcopal see of Phila- 130 Life of Father Bernard,

delphia but seven years; death unexpectedly took him from his flock on January 5, i860.* After the third year, Father Bernard was re¬ lieved from the American provincialship. He returned to the rank of a simple soldier, and received orders to exert his energy in gaining souls to God, “ in spiritu et virtute Elise,” in the British Islands.

* See Funeral Obsequies of Rt. Rev. yohn Nepomucene Neumann, D.D., C.SS.R., Fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, i860. CHAPTER XII.

APOSTOLATE OF FATHER BERNARD IN GREAT

BRITAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS.

T N the year 1852 the indefatigable missionary was appointed superior of the convent at Limerick, in Ireland, and was placed at the head of the apostolic labors of the Congregation in that country, as also in England and Scotland. H^resided there for three years. During that interval he gave missions in Limerick, Cork, Mallow, Dublin, London, Clapham, etc. To my knowledge, the accounts that exist of this period of his life are very incomplete. I have, however, before me a letter written from Lime¬ rick (May 25, 1873) to a Belgian Redemptorist, a portion of which I here insert: “As regards the missions given by Father Bernard in this country, I can only repeat what you already know of his labors on the Continent and in America. It will suffice to say that he excited the admiration of the people and of the 132 Life of Father Bernard. clergy, who could not understand how he could speak in a foreign language so as to move an immense concourse to tears. This was of fre¬ quent occurrence, even when treating of dog¬ matical subjects or when giving instructions. I recollect having heard him in the cathedral of Cork, before an assembly of six or seven thou¬ sand persons. In this sermon he spoke of the duties of parents towards their children. After the sermon his hearers remained riveted, as it were, to the floor of the church, weeping and sobbing. The bishop—who is still living—re¬ ceived him in the sacristy with open arms, thus addressing him: “‘Indeed, Father Bernard, you teach us!’ “ The mission given by him in Saint Michael’s Church, Dublin, was one of the most wonderful he ever gave, considering the number of young men who returned to God. All the regular and secular clergy of the neighboring parishes testified to this fact; and to this day it is spoken of as the great mission. I should also add that Father Bernard was remarkably condescending towards the other fathers, and Life of Father Bernard, 133

that they considered it a happiness to be sent on a mission with him.” . In 1855 Father Bernard left Ireland to return no more. He repaired directly to the capital of Catholicity, where the provincials of different provinces were to assemble in General Chapter. He was to take part in the deliberations as elector for the provinces of Holland and Eng¬ land. We may well imagine his joy, on seeing once more the Holy City, the Roman College, where he had made his theological studies, the Basilicas, and even the more modest sanctuaries which he had so frequently visited in his youth. He saw too, on this visit, with unspeakable de¬ light, the great Pius IX., the fourth pope whose apostolical benediction he had the happiness to receive. After a continued absence of nearly seven years. Father Bernard returned to his native country, never more to leave it. In November, 1855, we find him giving the retreat to the clergy of the Diocese of Ruremonde, in the seminary of that city. In February, 1862, he took a most active part in the sermons delivered in the churches of 134 Life of Father Bernard.

Ghent on the occasion of the twelfth centennial of the death of Saint Amandus, the Apostle of Flanders. He preached every evening in the cathedral before an audience composed of not only the faithful of all classes of society, but also the cures of the city, the canons, his Grace Mgr. Delebecque, etc. One of the vicars-general said : “ One never grows weary of listening to him ; for indeed he preaches like a Holy Father.” He had lost nothing of that energy of mind and body with which he had commenced his ministry in 1834; the same fire of zeal still burned in his soul. At the jubilee of Ghent a French prelate, the Archbishop of Cambray, assisted at two sermons preached by Father Bernard. Every one was astonished that he could listen so attentively to a preacher whose language he did not understand. “I love,” he said, “to see that man in the pulpit; his mere action gives me sufficient satisfaction. Those penetrating words ought to effect an im¬ mense good to souls. I would be very happy to have such a preacher in my diocese.” As to the Bishop of Ghent, he ardently thanked the Re- Life of Father Bernard. 135

demptorist apostle, repeatedly expressing the hope of again hearing him in his cathedral. From this time until his last mission, given in the spring of 1865, but six months intervened in which he did not give any public religious exer¬ cise ; during the rest of the time he took part in two or three missions or retreats. It is no exag¬ geration to say that during the last ten years of his life the entire kingdom of the Netherlands listened to his eloquence. It is impossible to enter into a detailed description of his apostolate in that kingdom. I will simply state that the record of his labors, as given in a sketch of his life written in Dutch, comprises 10 triduos, 20 octaves, 29 renewals of missions, 176 retreats, 228 great missions, not including many sermons preached on various occasions. Father Bernard, considered as a missionary and preacher of the Word of God, is to us the living expression of this saying of an ancient, ‘‘ Totus in illis.” In his great zeal for the salva¬ tion of souls all his moral and physical powers were employed, and exclusively, in the noble work to which he had devoted himself; all else •to him was secondary and unimportant. To re- 136- Life of Father Bernard.

call sinners, to strengthen the weak, to encourage the good, to extend the kingdom of the Divine Redeemer, not only in the hearts of Christians, but also among those who sat in the regions of the shadow of death, was his apostolic work and his constant happiness. In 1856-57 there was question of confiding the Isle of Curaqoa to the Sons of Saint Alphonsus; but the project, owing to physical impossibilities, could not be carried out. Father Bernard felt somewhat disappointed. Believe me,” he said to one of his confreres, could the plan have been realized, I would willingly leave for the Antilles. I would still be able to work there for many years at the salvation of those poor people.”

The fervent servant of God was soon to finish the course of his apostolic labors in the fulness of age and strength; but, as a valiant warrior, he was to die on the battle-field. We will see in the sequel that about four months before his death he had a presentiment of his approach¬ ing end. CHAPTER XIII.

FATHER BERNARD AS PRIEST AND RELIGIOUS.

T T AVING described Father Bernard aspreach- ^ er and missionary, although imperfectly, I will now venture to give an idea of him in his character of priest and religious; but in this I must confine myself to a few characteristic traits. This powerful man, who from the pulpit filled the souls of his hearers with the most terrible emotions, poured the balm of consolation into the hearts of all in the tribunal of penance. At the altar he preached by his grave and recollect¬ ed appearance. He would have scrupled to say Mass in less than half an hour. The Mass was preceded by a long preparation, and followed by an equally long thanksgiving, at least when the duties of the ministry did not compel him to abridge this precious time. It was only neces¬ sary to see him recite the divine office or other *37 138 Life of Father Bernard, prayers to feel one’s self drawn to fervor and recollection. The practice, above all others, of a true Re- demptorist, is that of the daily adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Saint Alphonsus made this an express rule, which he confirmed by his example. Father Bernard loved our Divine Lord too tenderly not to have been a faithful observer of this point of the rule. He went daily to prostrate himself before the tabernacle to adore Jesus Christ, the Divine Missionary and Pastor of souls. It was there that his piety was centred, and there he found sweet repose ; there he enkindled in his soul the sacred flame of the apostolate. During his last illness he made his adoration in spirit; a student went daily to his bed of suffer¬ ing to read to him the Visits to the Blessed Sacrament^ by Saint Alphonsus. To the love of Jesus hidden under the eucha- ristic veils Father Bernard joined a tender and profound compassion for our Lord’s sufferings, and honored his Sacred Heart with an especial devotion. He made the stations of the cross daily, unless prevented by some serious cause. Life of Father Ber^iard. 139

In his sermons and conversations he took advan¬ tage of every opportunity to recommend this practice, the source of so many precious graces. In the house where he lodged during a mis¬ sion it was frequently noticed that he passed the night extended upon the floor. This was also his custom at the convent. In the interior of the convent his life pre¬ sented nothing extraordinary; he simply im¬ posed on himself perfection in ordinary things and in the observance of the holy rule. “ At work he was a man,” said one of his confreres ; in the community he was a child.” So well did he know how to mingle simplicity with obedience ; so much did his natural amenity con¬ cur to the charm of relaxation in the usual re¬ creations. He considered it as an inestimable grace to belong to the Congregation of the holy Bishop of Saint Agatha, and he venerated it as his mother. “ I am assured,” he wrote in his Man¬ ual, “ that Jesus Christ lovingly regards our little family, that he cherishes it as the apple of his eye. I have the most certain confidence that our little flock will always go on gradually in- 140 Life of Father Bernard, creasing—not, indeed, in wealth and honors, but in promoting the glory of God, and in spread- ing by our labors a greater knowledge and love of Jesus Christ among others.” These were the very thoughts of Saint Alphonsus. Having been professor of theology, prefect of the novitiate, vice-provincial, and provincial, he knew how to communicate to those under his care that ardent love for science and for sacer¬ dotal perfection, that zeal for souls which burned within him, those supernatural motives which guided him in all things, and which he had drawn from the inspiring writings of Saint Al¬ phonsus and from prayer. It is true that he was not exempt from a cer¬ tain excess of warmth at times, and more than once his will got the better of him, as it were, under the impulse of the moment, and the good father was caught in the very act of harshness or impatience. These were his faults; but, like Saint Francis de Sales, he never made a truce' with his enemy,, and more than once he gained the victory over himself in critical moments. Did he sustain his opinion in theological discussions with too much ardor, or did he allow himself too Life of Father Bernard, 141 great fervor in exercising the duties of his min¬ istry, he deplored it as a crime, an unworthiness in a religious, and he did not fail at the chapter of faults to cast himself on his knees and disclose his repeated failings. We are assured that in his zeal to make reparation he would have asked pardon publicly in the church, had his superiors not prevented him. This latter disposition was the effect partly of his natural uprightness of mind, and partly of that perfect self-abnegation which he had learned from the life of his blessed father. If he did not reach the eminent sanctity of Saint Alphonsus, nor possess the religious virtues of Clement Maria Hoffbauer, or even of Joseph Passerat, he took them as models. His order of virtue was to tend unceasingly to approach as nearly as possible the great Model of perfection, of whom he never lost sight, and who is none other than the Divine Redeemer himself. Although he was ever attentive to keep his mind in a state of recollection and to walk in the divine presence, he did not neglect every year to strengthen himself spiritually in solitude and re¬ treat. He used to say that he enjoyed the peace 142 Life of Father Bernard, of heaven when, after having passed some months amid the distractions which exterior labors and apostolic duties necessarily involve, he could enter into himself and provide for his own spiritual needs. Filled with a sense of deep gratitude towards God, it was his custom to celebrate the anniver¬ saries of his baptism, of his promotion to the priesthood, and of his religious profession, by special devotions commemorative of these happy events. At a mission in a village he was seen to pass the entire morning of the last day spent there before the Blessed Sacrament. On being asked the reason he unaffectedly replied: “ I have to thank God for having made me a priest; it is thirty years to-day.” When he returned from a city or village where he had been exercising his apostolate, it was 'his custom to devote the first day to reading hastily the periodical publications, so as to keep himself informed on the questions of modern science. He then recreated himself in reading the fathers of the Church, especially Saint John Chrysostom, in the study of some theologian, or in the composition of dogmatic or moral instructions. Life of Father Bernard, 143

The active missionary again became the con¬ templative religions. Notwithstanding his rare faculty of speech and his vast science of religion, Father Bernard never entered the pulpit without suitable preparation. He knew how to speak, but he also wished to know in advance what was necessary to be said. With¬ in the four walls of his cell he wrote complete sermons, or at least made a sketch of them. In undertaking a mission he prepared his batteries during the journey, as also in free hours. “ They seem to think,” he humbly said, “ that to preach I have but to open my mouth ; the truth is, I need as much study and preparation as others. I have frequently found myself in such perplexity that I ran, with pen, ink, and paper, to. the Blessed Sacrament, in order to say there, ‘ My good Jesus, if it must be done in this manner, thou must surely come to my assist¬ ance.’ ” The reader has no doubt admired the tender affection he bore to his father and mother. He also cherished his kindred; absent or present, he was ever to them a counsellor, guide, and con¬ soler ; he participated in their happiness and af- 144 Life of Father Bernard, flictions. Whenever the duties of his apostolate permitted him to visit his family (which seldom happened), he was the joy of all. He conde¬ scended to mingle in the youthful recreations of his nephews and nieces; with those of mature age his conversation was full of animation, gra¬ vity, and edification. One day he was seen kneeling at the tombs of the members of his family, devoutly reciting the rosary; tears inter¬ rupted his devotion, and he exclaimed to those who accompanied him : All those who repose here were very good.’* But Father Bernard’s love was not confined to his family according to the flesh, nor to his bro¬ thers in religion; it extended to all the faithful, to the good, to unbelievers, and to sinners. This universal love of his neighbor had its source in the love of God, which was first in his heart. From this love sprang that unlimited devoted¬ ness,. that untiring activity, by which, after the example of the apostle of the Gentiles, he made himself all to all, to gain all to Jesus Christ, and it remained unchanged to the last day of his life. He possessed the secret of accepting with equal joy good or bad fortune. It was impossi- Life of Father Bernard. 145 ble to detect in him the least shadow of prefe¬ rence, otherwise so natural to self-love ; no com¬ placency in his own labors, no discouragement from contradictions, no sadness on account of an injury. Insensible to the insults of the wicked, to certain prejudices of the good, he was indifferent to applause, and never permitted him¬ self to be elated by that sort of enthusiastic popularity which by degrees was attached to his name. If the hospitable welcome of the clergy of the parishes gave him great pleasure, forced privations, the fatigues of the confessional, the inconveniences of travelling, th-e dangers of the sea, did not disturb his serenity. He never knew fear nor betrayed cowardice; he was solely occupied with the glory of God and the salvation of souls. On extraordinary occasions, as on ordi¬ nary ones, he was admirably self-possessed ; he was ever happy and cheerful—always superior to events: “In verbo veritatis, in virtute Dei, per gloriam et ignobilitatem, per infamiam et bonam famam.” * The following little incident, although unim¬ portant in itself, will be interesting, as exhibiting

* 2 Cor. vi. 146 Life of Father Bernard,

a trait of his character. One day, in repairing to a village of Northern Brabant, he, in company with a confrere, travelled through one of those vast heaths which are frequently met with in those parts. The jolting of the heavy farm-cart in which they w^ere carried over rugged roads continually threw the two missionaries against each other. Father Bernard took pleasure in re¬ lating, with a hearty laugh, this little incident, from which they escaped without broken ribs. A few days later the two fathers were forced to accept of the use of a splendid carriage, drawn by two horses and mounted by footmen, whose livery was laced on all the seams. His com¬ panion felt uneasy, as so much luxury seemed but little in harmony with the voluntary poverty of the cloister. ‘‘As regards myself,” humorously said Father Bernard, “ I am not in the least inconvenienced in this equipage : ‘ Scio abundare, et scio penu- riam pati.’* In coming we were knocked about in a cart, and we were satisfied; in leaving we are borne in triumph like lords; so, father, let us try to be resigned.”

* I know both how to abound, and to suffer need. CHAPTER XIV.

FATHER BERNARD’S TENDER DEVOTION TO THE MOTHER OF GOD,

HE love of Jesus and Mary go hand in hand in the religious life and devotions of the true Christian. It is, therefore, not as¬ tonishing that Saint Alphonsus Maria de Li- guori, the tender lover of Jesus, was so devoted a servant of his Divine Mother. Wishing to im¬ part this united affection to his children, he thus wrote to them : “ All the members of our Congregation should have an especial love for Jesus Christ in the most Holy Eucharist, and for the Immaculate Virgin.” Among other pious practices in honor of Mary, he imposed upon them that of a daily visit and a daily recitation of at least the third part of the rosary. Not satisfied with fulfilling these prescriptions of the holy rule, P'ather Ber¬ nard endeavored to imitate in all things the de-

*47 148 Life of Father Beriiard. votion of the holy founder toward the Mother of God. Saint Alphonsus daily recited the five psalms composed by Saint Bonaventure in honor of the name of Mary. An old prayer-book, which was for a long time in Father Bernard’s use, shows at the place of these psalms traces which plainly indicate that he recited them, if not every day, at least very often. Saint Alphonsus honored in an especial man¬ ner the sufferings that the Queen of martyrs en¬ dured during her life on earth. In one of his admirable works he relates the following incident in the life of the -virgin Saint Elizabeth: “ It was revealed to this servant of God that, Jesus and Mary one day appearing to Saint John the Evangelist, he heard Mary ask her beloved Son some particular grace for those who honored her seven dolors. Jesus promised to grant them four special graces: first, that those who invoke this Divine Mother by her sorrows will merit to obtain before death a sincere sorrow for their sins; secondly, that he will protect them in their tribulations, especially at the hour of death ; thirdly, that he will impress upon their minds Life of Father Bernard. 149 the memory of his Passion, and will reward them eternally in heaven ; fourthly, that he will com¬ mit them to the hands of Mary, that she may dis¬ pose of them according to her pleasure, and may procure for them all the graces she desires.” Saint Alphonsus also recited every day the “ Chaplet of the Seven Dolors,” and wore this rosary around his neck.* Father Bernard faith¬ fully imitated this edifying example. The chap¬ let of the seven dolors which he used is now the property of one of his convents ; the happy possessor preserves it with religious respect. Father Bernard used every effort to spread among the people this devotion so dear to his heart. It is to him that the church of the con¬ vent at Wittem owes that magnificent Pieth which is honored there in the Chapel of Our Lady of Dolors, and to which Pius IX. has attached an indulgence of seven years and seven quaran¬ tines, to be gained by all those who recite be¬ fore it seven “ Aves.” Father Bernard estab¬ lished the custom of solemnly celebrating seven

* This chaplet is composed of seven parts, forming each a “Pater” and seven “ Ave Marias.”. The popes have en¬ riched it with numberless indulgences. 150 Life of Father Bernard.

Sundays in honor of the Seven Dolors, and founded a perpetual Mass, to be sung on each of these Sundays. His Holiness deigned to grant a plenary indul¬ gence to all those who would piously consecrate these seven Sundays to the honor of Mary. Since then this salutary devotion has become so familiar to the inhabitants of Wittem and of its environs that the majority of those who visit the convent church go to prostrate themselves be¬ fore the erected by Father Bernard. Many sad hearts have found consolation ab the feet of this holy image; many sinners have been deeply moved and urged to return to God. Even a miraculous cure is said to have been effected there. The Immaculate Conception of Mary had an ardent and a learned defender in Saint Alphon- sus. As a proof of this see his admirable ser¬ mon and his theological dissertations on this subject; see also his vindication of those who had taken a vow to defend this great privilege, and to give, if necessary, their lives for Mary, conceived without sin. Father Bernard had taken this vow a long time Life of Father Bernard. 151 before the declaration of the dogma. When, in 1844, the Confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the conversion of sinners was can¬ onically established in Wittem, Father Bernard was charged by the rector of the convent to preach the sermons during the octave ; he ac¬ quitted himself of this beautiful task with so much zeal, talent, and success that over four thousand persons were enrolled in the new con¬ fraternity, and in the succeeding years the devo¬ tion towards the Immaculate Heart of the Mother of God was gradually spread to the neighboring villages. Saint Alphonsus recom¬ mended the daily recitation, morning and night, of three “ Aves,” to be said prostrate, or at least kneeling, adding after each “ Ave ” this short invocation: “ By thy pure and immaculate con¬ ception, O Mary ! make my body pure and my soul holy.” Father Bernard faithfully practised this devotion, and he made it a duty to teach it to his hearers on the missions, and to his peni¬ tents. Saint Alphonsus placed all his actions under the protection of the Queen of Heaven, and termed “ blessed ” the action that was enclosed 152 Life of Father Bernard.

between two “ Aves.” Plence the custom of his spiritual family never to begin or finish any ac¬ tion without having addressed a prayer to * Mary. When there was question of any impor¬ tant undertaking, his supplications became more ardent. He also desired the Redemptorist mis¬ sionaries to recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, the antiphon “ Sancta Maria, succurre miseris,” the prayer “ Defende,” and other pray¬ ers in her honor, as they approached the place where the mission was to be given. I need not say that our missionary fulfilled to the letter all the desires of his blessed father. He went even further. In his Manual of piety was found a long Latin prayer, written with his own hand, and probably composed by himself. The title of it is, “ Prayer to the Mother of the Divine Pas¬ tor,* to be recited by the fathers in the visit to

^ The feast of the. Mother of the Divine Pastor is one of the special feasts of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. We read in the morning office of September 2 : “ Hanc autem boni Pastoris nostri Jesu Christi dulcissimam Matrem, ipsum inter ac nos, populum ejus et oves pascuae ejus, poten- tissimam Mediatricem, Pius VIII. Pontifex Maximus sacer- dotibus Congregationis Sanctissimi Redemptoris, ut sacrarum Life of Father Bernard. 153

the Blessed Virgin during the course of a mis¬ sion.” I will give a translation of it here for the edification of both the clergy and the faithful in general: “Hail, O Mother of the Divine Pastor! O thou who art, after Jesus, my hope and my salva¬ tion ! I come to prostrate myself at thy feet. Permit me, I beseech thee, to rest here a mo¬ ment from my labors, and to entreat for this congregation and for myself great and new favors from thee. I believe that Jesus Christ, thy Son, is the pastor of these sheep, for whom he has willed to shed his blood and suf¬ fered the torment of the cross. I also believe that the price of this blood has been given to thee, and that no one perishes if thou deignest to regard him with mercy. I hear Saint Bernard assure me that it has never been known that any one who implored thy clemency was ever re¬ jected by thee. I hear Saint Alphonsus exclaim that no one is saved except through thy inter-- cession. O my good Mother! hear, then,- the

Missionum a se obeundarura singularem patronani, peculiar! officio et missa tertio nonas Septembris quotannis celebrare permisit.” 154 Life of Father Bernard,

humble prayer that I now offer to thee for my¬ self and for this congregation. If I have found grace with thee, save me and save those for whom I pray. They are thy children, but thou hast given them to me ; they are thy children, for thou lovest them as a tender mother loves her children. For their salvation thou hast not even spared thine own Son; thou hast delivered him over to death. But thou hast given them to me, that by my ministry they may be. converted, and that, being truly converted, they may love and praise thee and thy Divine Son for all eter¬ nity. Bless, then, O good Mother, O refuge of sinners ! and, after Jesus, their only hope ! bless the lost sheep of this parish. . . . May thy gracious hand lead to our feet even those who are the furthest from thee. May none who take part in this spiritual mission be lost, but during these days of salvation may all return by thy mercy to the pastures of Jesus Christ, thy be¬ loved Son. Grant them, as a manifest sign of thy mercy, an abundant source of tears, a con¬ trite and docile heart. “ Look down also upon us, thy servants, to whom Jesus, thy Son, has confided the ministry Life of Father Bernard. 155 of reconciliation. Console us by thy favors in the midst of the labors that we have undertaken for the glory of thy Son. Strengthen our souls, that our zeal may not relax, but may become more and more fervent. Suffer not that excessive labor so to overwhelm our hearts and our thoughts that, forgetting ourselves, we neglect our own salvation and lose our own souls. May each of us persevere in his holy resolutions. May each of us reflect seriously on what he ought to do at this mission, and may he accom¬ plish in deed what he mentally proposed. May we all strive to advance in perfection, and, by the practice of meditation and fervent, ejacula¬ tory prayer, be united with God. May each one place a guard over his heart, and make a com¬ pact with his eyes, that his thoughts may remain chaste. May he be preserved free from the con¬ tagion of the world. Thus, full of merits, and having become dear to thy beloved Son, we return to our homes, rejoicing in the Lord at the thought that this mission is written in the Book of Life, and has prepared for us a recom¬ pense in heaven. Amen.” *

* Appendix J, 156 Life of Father Bernard,

The same Manual contains another testimony of the conformity of Father Bernard’s sentiments with those of Saint Alphonsus. Ill a prayer, en¬ titled Life in Mary,” he consecrates all his labors to the Immaculate Virgin. Father Bernard loved our Lord Jesus Christ and his Divine Mother; he loved the Church, the spouse of Jesus; he loved souls redeemed by the blood of Jesus. His entire life as missionary priest was the summary of this triple love. He was one of those men of lively faith by whom our Lord was pleased to bring about the salvation of souls. “Powerful in works.and in words,” he was to many the instrument of eter¬ nal salvation. The memory of his virtues, of his self-sacrifices, and of his success is a precious in¬ heritance to his brothers in religion. ' CHAPTER XV.

FATHER BERNARD’S LAST ILLNESS AND HOLY

DEATH,

HE year 1865 was the last of the life of the zealous missionary. In the beginning of May he went to direct a mission at Saint Trond, whither the fathers had been called by the dean of the district. He asked and obtained leave from his rector to profit by this opportu¬ nity to make his annual retreat of ten days in the convent of that city. It was there that he received a signal grace from heaven in the presentiment of his approach¬ ing end. He was so perfectly convinced that the work of his life had been accomplished that he made a general confession, in order to prepare for the great voyage to eternity. His only desire was to die in the Holy City, where heaven had called him to the Institute of Saint Alphonsus. He consulted his confessor as to whether he could in 158 Life of Father Bernard. conscience ask the permission of the superior- general to go to Rome to prepare himself there for his approaching death. As Father Bernard desired repose only in so far as the Most Rev. Father Mauron approved of it, his confessor replied that he saw nothing contrary to the will of God in this request. After this, to remove all scruple, Father Ber¬ nard went to Antwerp to consult Father Loo- yaard, in whom he reposed great confidence. The latter, seeing his confrere in good health and in perfect calmness of mind, was struck with the assurance with which he spoke of his approach¬ ing death. He endeavored to persuade him that he had yet too much strength to consider him¬ self at the close of his career. He concluded by telling him that he could ask permission to go to Rome on condition that he would submit with perfect indifference to the decision that would be given him. His conscience being quieied by this conformity of opinion of his two confreres. Father Bernard wrote to the Most Rev. Father Mauron, and also informed the Provincial of Holland of the step which he had taken, confiding all to a kind and amiable Providence. He joyfully com- Life of Father Bernard. 159 menced the mission in the city of Saint Trond, which for the last time witnessed the zeal, the activity, and the eloquence of its favorite preach¬ er. The mission being concluded. Father Ber¬ nard returned by way of Wittem, where he re¬ mained for some days to take a short repose, preserving in the depths of his soul the call of death which God had caused him to hear. A mission, given in a little parish of the Dio¬ cese of Liege, crowned the laborious and fruitful apostolate of our Redemptorist. It was at Mont- zen, not far from Aix-la-Chapelle, about a league from Thimister, where he had given his first mission. The first communion of the children had been fixed for the last day of May. The father, hav¬ ing prepared them for the reception of the Holy Eucharist by a touching address, recited aloud the rosary, walking up and down the aisle to maintain order. Wishing to ascend the steps of the altar of the Blessed Virgin, before which the children were kneeling, he tripped against a bench which projected, and, seeing himself about to fall to the left, he instinctively straightened himself to the other side, tearing a sinew of the i6o Life of Father Bernard. knee, and fell helplessly on his back. The peo¬ ple came in haste to his assistance, and placed him on a chair; he continued to say, “ Hail Mary, full of grace,” as if he had not been in the least inconvenienced by the fall. Soon, however, the pain became so intense that by his request he was taken to the pastor’s residence opposite the church. Not being able to write himself, he dictated a letter to his family, informing them of his ac¬ cident, to which he signed his name. “ May the holy and adorable will of God be done ! ” were the concluding words. “ The will of God must be accepted without reserve this was his motto. This adorable will had been the rule of his life; it became his shield against the pains of sickness and the agonies of death. The physicians con¬ sidered his cure as certain, but intimated that it would require much time. The father, without losing his habitual cheerfulness, did not share their opinion ; the accident appeared to hiip a presage of death. On the day after he met with this accident it was announced to him that two fathers had come to-visit him. “This is kind of them,” he exclaimed; “let them come in im- Life of Father Bernard, i6i mediately, for I have not long to live.” He de¬ sired to read only ascetical works, to prepare the better for his journey to heaven. When he had gained sufficient strength to be moved in a car¬ riage, he returned to the convent at Wittem. On entering his cell he at first expressed hopes of convalescence, so as not to afflict the community ; but soon he was heard to speak only of his ap¬ proaching end, as if he felt the work of the dis¬ ease that was beginning gradually to undermine his constitution. There had not yet appeared the slightest symptoms of danger,* when, on the 21st of August, the new rector of Wittem arrived from America. “ So, then, my reverend father, you have come here to bury me,” were the words with which Father Bernard welcomed him. A few days be¬ fore this he was seen, with one of his friends, sitting in the garden near the vault. Look at the new addition to the vault,” he said to him ; ‘‘ the first crypt to the left is the place awaiting me.” All the while the condition of the invalid sen¬ sibly grew better, and God seemed to have heard 162 Life of Father Bernard. the prayers that were daily sent up to heaven for the preservation of the life of the venerated father. For six weeks he had been obliged to remain motionless, with his leg bandaged ; but now he seemed to be recovering, and, by the aid of crutches, he was already able to walk about in the infirmary. This confinement in a cage was a torture for the active missionary, but he never appeared de¬ jected ; never did a complaint escape his lips, although his pains were intense. In the midst of sufferings, as well as in labors, he sought re¬ pose on the cross, in entire resignation to the amiable will of God. Nevertheless, he longed to engage in his accustomed work. The hour for the fulfilment of his desires seemed near at hand, at least to his superiors, and a new cam¬ paign was projected. His superiors promised that on the 28th of August he would give the re¬ treat to the Nuns of the Most Holy Redeemer, at Wittem, and then he was to direct the mis¬ sions at Bois-le-Duc, Zutphen, Arnhem, Utrecht, Harlem, etc. On learning this good news he said, “ I will resume my part in the great combat, provided Life of Father Bernard, 163 there be any breath left me, or in case I am not in the other world.” In fact, Father Bernard was the only one in the community who was per¬ suaded that he was at the end of his career. He astonished every one when he spoke of his fall at Montzen as something very serious. “ This acci¬ dent is the answer from Rome,” he said, alluding to the request he had made to the most reverend father-general. On another occasion he said ; “ Our good God must have had particular de¬ signs with me in permitting this accident to hap¬ pen on the last day of the month of Mary, during the recitation of the rosary of Mary, and before the altar of Mary.” Contrary to all expectation, his sad presentiment was to be realized. From the beginning of August he began to suffer from asthma, but no one was alarmed. This trouble was thought to be the result of his prolonged rest, and that it would disappear on the resump¬ tion of labor. This was the first symptom of the disease which took him from the Congregation and from the Church militant. The state of his health had already permitted him to celebrate Mass several times in the pri¬ vate oratory. On the 25th of August he was 164 Life of Father Bernard,

able to go to the church, and had the consolation of offering the Holy Mysteries in his favorite chapel, at the altar of Our Lady of Dolors. This was his last Mass. During the Holy Sacrifice he was suddenly attacked with great difficulty in breathing, and could scarcely finish his Mass. Returning to the sacristy, he sank into a chair, and, having been conducted to the infirmary, he said, on en¬ tering, “Ah! it is the second time I have come here; but it will not be long before you will carry me out'' It was evident that the thought of death never left him. This time his illness was attended by alarming symptoms. The physician, who was called with¬ out delay, declared that dropsy had attacked the right lung. All hope, however, was not lost, since respiration was not obstructed in his left lung; but it was feared that the fatal fluid would ^encroach on the pericardium. Respiration be¬ came perceptibly more difficult, and at the end of three days his condition was so alarming that the patient himself considered his end very near. Upon learning of Father Bernard’s danger the Provincial of England, who happened to be at Life of Father Bernard. 165

Aix-la-Chapelle, went to visit him. Father Ber¬ nard remarked to him : “ They laugh at me; they still speak to me of cures, but I know bet¬ ter ; I am certain that I am going to heaven.” Feeling his condition grow worse, he earnestly asked for the Holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction; and the superiors, having been ap¬ prised by the physicians that there was no longer any room for hope, resolved to satisfy his desire. The last rites were administered to him on August 27, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Mary. All the members of the community as¬ sembled in the infirmary and in the adjacent cor¬ ridor, as many as could kneeling around the chair in which the dear father was seated. When he heard the priest coming with the Blessed Sacrament, he exclaimed, with that love and that lively faith which had ever characterized him, Come ! come! O my Jesus ! come'" At the sight of his Eucharistic God, he extended his arms and joyfully exclaimed: Behold him ! behold him ! ” At the conclusion of the ceremony, he took his mission cross, his rosary, and his book of 166 Life of Father Bernard.

rules, and raised them as high as his shoulder. Then, breathing very heavily, and frequently pausing, he said: “ My brothers, my brothers ! behold the crucifix which has assisted me to convert so many unbelievers and poor sinners; the crucifix with which I have so often an¬ nounced the mercy of God and the hope of par¬ don. Oh ! how much I love it. . . . To have lived in the Congregation of the Most Holy Re¬ deemer, to be able to die in it, what joy, what happiness ! . . . My conscience tells me that I never resisted the will of God nor the desires of my superiors. . . . If I have addressed a harsh word to the least of my brothers . I am entirely resigned to what God wishes. Does he will that I should still work ? . . . I am ready for work ! . . . Does he will to take me from you ? Ah! well, to that also I submit ; for, dear brothers, I am sure of my sal¬ vation. . . . Soon I will be no more. Yes, beloved brothers, I am going to die. I have known it since my last retreat. ... I am going to paradise. . . . But be consoled, and re¬ double your prayers for me ; there above I will not forget you.” Life of Father Bernard. 167

This address lasted for almost a quarter of an hour; the father made it with an energy which far surpassed what his natural strength would have permitted. It was his last sermon. On Monday and Tuesday he had intervals of alternate hope and fear; however, the strength of the patient was perceptibly failing. He was attacked with such violent and frequent spells of suffocation that the doors and windows had to be thrown open. He could not endure the least covering on his chest. When on the threshold of eternity, he expressed the desire to renew his vows. The candles were lighted and the missal opened. The Very Rev. Father Konings, the provincial, began to read the formula aloud : “ Ego (I) Bernardus Josephus Hafkenscheid . . . ” The patient said in a weak voice: “ Once more, if you please, father; such things should be said energetically.” When these words were again pronounced, the dear patient repeated them in as loud a voice as possible. Congregationis Sanctissimi Redemptoris ” (of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer), continued the provincial. /

168 Life of Father Bernard.

“ Yes,” Father Bernard at once said, becoming animated and striking his breast. “ Redemp- torist! Yes, I am a Redemptorist with all my heart and all my soul. I have lived as a Redemptorist; as a Redemptorist I will die.” His countenance betrayed a holy transport. The assistants could not control their emotion, and the provincial himself could scarcely con¬ tinue. At the words, “ I renew the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience,” he touched each time the Gospel of the Mass of Saint Al- phonsus. The ceremony being concluded, he tranquilly said: “ All is well. There now re¬ mains but to be said, ^ Profiscere'—depart, Chris¬ tian soul, out of this world.” In the evening of the same day the students approached his bed of suffering to receive a last advice and his last blessing. Raising his eyes and his hands to heaven, he said to them but these few words: “We will meet again in heaven. There, be assured, I will pray m.uch for you, that you may remain faithful to your vocation.” At another time the patient said to one of the fathers : “ Oh I our good God has ever shown Life of Father Bernard. 169

me such great mercy. He still manifests it. I enjoy profound peace. I have not the least temptation, not the least trouble of mind.” The father remarked: “ You have so often said: ‘ Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner, at the hour of my death.’ ” . “Yes,” said Father Bernard; “the Mother of God cannot forget that.” To one of his relations who visited him he said: “ It is very singular how the world re¬ cedes from us. I no longer think of anything. I have no more regret at not being any longer able to give missions—nothing, nothing; all im¬ perceptibly disappears.” During the nights of Wednesday and Thurs¬ day his sufferings were more intense than during the preceding nights. In the midst of his suffer¬ ings he suddenly exclaimed: “Jesus, my be¬ loved Jesus, come to my assistance ! If it is thy will, O my God! Otherwise, not.” He longed so much to leave this world that, when his con¬ freres proposed to make a vow to the Blessed Virgin for his cure, he joyfully replied : “ Oh! we ought not to do that; I am so well prepared 1/0 Life of Father Bernard. now. I feel happy, and am willing to die. If, however, you desire it, fiat! ’’ It was thought advisable to insist no longer. The following night his condition remained . unaltered. During a painful attack he asked some relief of the father Avho performed the duties of infirmarian. He brought him the crucifix. The dying man kissed it tenderly, and enquired what time it was. “ The clock has just struck half-past one.’' “It is Saturday, is it not?” “ No, father, it is but Friday.” “ Still another day and night! ” In fact, Saturday was to be his last day. His devotion to the sufferings of Jesus was a great consolation to him during his hours of sleeplessness. He confided to one of his friends that he had passed the night in making in spirit the “ Way of the Cross.” Another time he smiled when the Father Rector came early in the morning to enquire after the state of his health. He seemed to say to him : “ Do not pity me ; for a night passed without sleep, as mine was, is not to be thought little of.” In fact, he sanc¬ tified his sleeplessness and suffering in constant Life of Father Bernard.

union with the Passion of our Saviour, by medi¬ tation on the Way of the Cross.” Until the eve of his death the man of God continued to follow, to the extent of his strength, the spiritual exercises of the com¬ munity. He desired that, at the proper hour, the points of meditations should be read to him, that he should be reminded of the recita¬ tion of the Angelus, etc. On Friday his mind began to wander. In a moment of delirium he spoke unceasingly of ‘a distant voyage, and seemed much troubled. “ Father Bernard,” said the provincial, ‘^you have always obeyed promptly; obey once more, and speak no longer of that voyage.” From that moment the serenity of his mind returned, and never again forsook him. Towards evening the patient seemed to be in his last agony. The convent bell was rung, the wax candles were lighted in the chamber of death, and the community commenced to recite aloud the prayers for the soul departing. The father joined in the prayers with those who sur¬ rounded him, and answered to the invocations of the Litany as distinctly as possible. They inter- 1/2 Life of Father Bernard, rupted the prayers for a moment, so as not to fatigue him too much ; but he requested them to continue, suggesting to the priest the word with which he was to resume. “ How beautiful are all these prayers ! ” he said. “ I thank you.” During the night he seemed to be continu¬ ally absorbed in the contemplation of heavenly things; at times he struck his breast in pro¬ nouncing the sweet names of Jesus and Mary. He had no longer strength to articulate distinct¬ ly ; his lips and his tongue, parched with the fever, had to be refreshed by means of a feather. In the midst of the agonies of death he did not lose the use-of his reason ; and when, towards the dawn of day, his confessor asked him if he desired to receive absolution and the plenary indulgence in articulo mortis, he replied by a look of joy, and made the sign of the cross, as if in the pulpit. Absolution was repeated in the same manner about eight o’clock. His agony then began. He was still heard to whisper: “Jesus, Mary!” These were his last audible words. The prayers for the dying were again said. While a confrere held in his failing hand the blessed candle, he began to breathe Life of Father Bernard. 173 very heavily; his face was covered with a cold sweat, his hands grew frigid, he heaved a deep sigh, and his eyes closed in death. The soul of Father Bernard left this world to receive the palm promised to the faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. It was Saturday, September 2, 1865, about nine o’clock in the morning. C\jlM Thus died the apostolic priest; thus die the predestined. “ Happy are they,” exclaims St. Vincent de Paul, “who at the hour of their death see accom¬ plished in them these beautiful words of our Lord: ‘ Evangelizare pauperibus misit me Do- minus ’ (‘ to preach the Gospel to the poor the Lord hath sent me’).” They were fulfilled in him whose apostolate we have sketched. Bernard Joseph Hafkenscheid had attained the age of fifty-eight years, thirty-three of which he had passed in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and thirty-one in the work of the missions. At the time of his death he was still in full possession of his mighty powers and at the height of his reputation. His death occurred on a very beautiful feast. On the 2d of September the Redemptorists 174 Life of Father Bernard. say the first vespers of the Feast of'the Blessed Virgin, Mother of the Divine Pastor, whom Pope Pius VIII. gave as an especial patroness to the priests of the Institute of Saint Alpho'nsus for the work of their missions-. Father Bernard, who, during his long missionary career, had not al¬ lowed himself a day nor an hour’s repose, could present himself before the Sovereign Judge under the protection of Mary, and say with confidence to Jesus: “Amiable Pastor, thou hast given thy life for thy sheep, and in dying upon the cross hast recommended us, who are the sheep of thy fold on earth, to thy most holy Mother. I have walked under thy pastoral crook, and hope that thou wilt now deign to admit me to the pastures of life eternal.”* On the 4th of September, after the final ser¬ vice had taken place in the church, the deceased was carried to his last resting-place by the pro-

* Prayer of the Church on the Feast of the Holy Virgin, Mother of the Divine Pastor ; “ Domine Jesu -Christe, Pastor bone, qui pro ovibus tuis animam dedisti, nosque populum tuum et oves pascuoe tuae in Cruce pendens Matri Virgini cora- mendasti; ipsa interveniente concede, ut te Pastorem nostrum sequentes in terris, ad pascua seternae vitae perducamur in coelis.” Life of Father Bernard. 175 vincials of England, of the I^etherlands, and of Belgium. They formed Avith the fathers, the students, and the brothers of Wittem, with the members of his family and some friends, an im¬ posing cortege, but marked with that simplicity which becomes religious poverty. The absolu¬ tions having been concluded, the body was de¬ posited in the crypt that Father Bernard had pointed out in the beginning of his illness. There it reposes in peace,-aAvaiting the day of general resurrection to share the glory of that soul whose labors and* sufferings it shared here below. On the mortuary tablet of Father Bernard are placed these words, taken from the Book of Ecclesiasticus, which are recited in the Mass of Saint Alphonsus: He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abomination of wickedness, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.” We read also these words of the Prophet King: “I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from the great council. Withhold not thou, O Lord! thy tender mercies from me.” Great les- 176 Life of Father Bernard. sons of a life imbued with one thought, the will of God, and one sole ambition, the greater glory of God I It finished, as it had commenced, in obedience, in resignation, in self-sacrifice. It would not be just to allow the memory of such beautiful examples to perish. CHAPTER XVI.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE WORK OF THE MISSIONS.

T HAVE briefly sketched the life of a religious whom many of my readers have seen at work, whose powerful zeal they have admired, and by whose virtues they have been edified. The reverend clergy who have known this val¬ iant soldier of the Church will find that this sketch gives but an imperfect account of the labors which he performed for more than thirty years for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Father Bernard was indeed an eminent mem¬ ber of the. Congregation of the Most Holy Re¬ deemer, but he was not the only one, nor was he the most eminent. In his apostolic career he had holy predecessors who had prepared for him the way; illustrious contemporaries who were his superiors and worked at his side ; and succes- 177 178 Life of Father Bernard. sors still living whose exalted position forbids me to name them. His labors form, after all, but a chapter in a history already fruitful of good works and in names for ever blessed. In writing the life of one of its members I have described the apostolate of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. It will not be considered out of place to close this biography by some observations on the work which was at the same time his passion and his merit before God and men. Saint Alphonsus de Liguori announced the truths of faith and the duties of religion, not only in great cities, but also gave missions to the herdsmen and the artisans of the dioceses of Scala, Amalfi, etc. He desired that the mem¬ bers of his Congregation should devote them¬ selves especially to the evangelization of the poor in country places, without, however, neglecting the inhabitants of the cities, nor even the eccle¬ siastics. “ The principal end of the religious Congregation of which he was the founder was to labor, by preaching and example, at the refor¬ mation of morals, particularly among the poor, who are scattered throughout the country.” This Life of FatlLcr Bernard. 179

Congregation was in a short time propagated in a marvellous manner, and Benedict XIV. con¬ firmed it by his apostolic authority; and the same pontiff having appointed him (Saint Al- phonsus) rector major, he excited his companions by his example, and animated them to the prac¬ tice of every virtue, in a manner truly wonderful.* His Congregation has spread beyond Italy, and even to the New World ; his spiritual children have walked in the footsteps of their saintly father in all countries where the public power has not prevented the establishment of colonies and the good that they desired . to effect. Saint Alphonsus accomplished in the latter part of the eighteenth century what Saint Vin¬ cent de.Paul had effected in the first part of the century preceding, and was guided by the same supernatural motives. The principle of their es¬ tablishment was “ faith working by charity ”— ^ the most compassionate love towards man, in¬ spired by the most lively faith in Jesus Christ. It was the conviction of these two saints that the missions given to the faithful were sources

* Bull of the Canonization of Saint Alphonsus Maria dc Liguori, Pope Gicgory XVI., May 27, 1839. i8o Life of Father Bernard.

the most fruitful for the well-being of society and for the glory of religion—one of the greatest means of salvation that it pleased God to reserve for these latter times. It was to save souls by the ministry of simple and popular preaching that the one gave to the Church the Congrega¬ tion of the Priests of the Mission, commonly called Lazarists, and the other that of the Con¬ gregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Of both it may be truly said : “ He is dead, but his faith still works prodigies by the mouth of his children” — Per illam defunctus adhuc loquitur. Let it not be said that the missionaries should confine themselves to the evangelization of the heathen; the annals of the Church and daily experience attest that Christians also stand in need of their zealous labors. History proves, on the one hand, that in the very bosom of Christianity circumstances fre¬ quently demand the extraordinary assistance furnished to the Church by the apostolate of missionaries. On the other, experience clearly demonstrates that there are always in Christian populations necessities that render the missions Life of Father Bernard. 8i extremely desirable and even morally necessary to many. Without speaking of the early ages of Chris¬ tianity, the heresies of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries found valiant adversaries in Saints Ber¬ nard, Norbert, Francis of Assisi, and Dominic, fathers of the many apostolic families that were spread throughout Europe. It was also by the assistance of missions that Charles Bor- romeo, Ignatius of Loyola, Philip Neri; Francis of Sales, Vincent of Paul, Leonard of Port-Mau_ rice, Bossuet, Fenelon, Rauzan, recalled thou¬ sands of souls to the faith, or revived the reli¬ gious life among the various European nations. Have the wants of Christians diminished since their times? Do incredulity and indifference make less ravages to-day ? Has not the diaboli¬ cal sect of the Jansenists left its footprints, and can we not see that the great Bishop of Saint Agatha of the Goths was providentially sent to combat against the coldness of these latter times, by enkindling in souls the smothered flame of piety? The thought uppermost in his mind was that of the missions; this work was, to use the expression of St. Vincent de Paul, the capital 182 Life of Father Bernard. of his Congregation.” History proves that the Holy Ghost, who unceasingly guides the Church, ever supplies remedies for existing wants, and places spiritual missions among the great means of salvation that he procures for even the poor¬ est and most ignorant souls. Let us add to this every-day experience. If priests and the religious of both sexes who are de¬ voted by their state to the most holy duties feel the nece*ssity of retreats, the need of reflecting from time to time on the love of duty and the sacrifices which it exacts, it must be acknow¬ ledged that this same necessity exists, for far more powerful reasons, for the faithful living in the world. Where is the workman, the merchant, the tradesman, the magistrate, the soldier, who has not felt his prejudices vanish, and who was not reanimated with zeal, who has not blessed God, after having followed, with the necessary dispositions, the exercises of amission? Where is the man, entangled in the cares of life, who after these exercises has not felt n’lore enlight¬ ened in eternal truths, more resolved on the faithful observance of his duties, more pene¬ trated with the great motives which cause him Life of Father Bernard. 183 to act and suffer with patience, love, and joy ? “The word of God is living, efficacious, and it penetrates deeper than a two-edged sword,” says the apostle. The assemblage of great truths that the missionaries proclaim with all the sim¬ plicity and strength of the evangelical ministry cannot fail to produce these salutary effects, on the sole condition that divine grace is not ob¬ stinately opposed.* But what is the nature of a popular mission ? What is its end ? A popular mission consists, as is generally known, in a series of sermons, meditations, and pious exercises, directed for a certain number of days by religious or secular priests, for the conversion of sinners and the reanimation of the good. “ It is certain,” wrote St. Alphonsus de Li- guori to a newly-consecrated bishop, “ that the conversion of sinners is the greatest gift that God grants to the people. St. Thomas says that the gift of grace by which God justifies the sinner is

* From page 177 I have but given in short the reflections of the Most Rev. Victor Dechamps, at present^Archbishop of Mechlin : La grande pensee de St. Vincent de Pant, chapter iv.

pY\ CkM 184 Life of Father Ber7iard,

a greater favor than if he gave him the beatitude of glory. Now, the conversion of sinners is pre¬ cisely the end of missions. Sinners learn to know the malice of sin, the importance of their salvation, and the goodness of God ; and thus their hearts are changed, they abandon their evil ways, and commence to lead Christian lives. In fine, wherever faith has been planted or revived, wherever morals have been reformed, the good has been accomplished by the missionary.” * The exercises of a mission tend to excite sen¬ timents of repentance and to form resolutions to lead a better life. The eloquence employed in the sermons and instructions is simple and popular. Together with subjects which excite terror, as the four last things, the crimes of blasphemy, impiety, sacrilege, etc., the missionaries speak of the mercy of God, the means of salvation offered by the Church, the sacraments of Pen¬ ance and the Eucharist, of confidence in the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of final perseverance.

* Istruzione ai Fredicatori, S. Alfonso, p. 69, vol. x. See also Manuel du Missionnaire^ by Father Narnpori, SJ., and App. I. Life of Father Bernard. 185

Eternity cries out, as it were, to force the sin¬ ner to know himself, to repent, to reveal all the secrets of his conscience to a priest whom per¬ haps he has never seen before, and perhaps will never see again; who will speak to him in the confessional words of reconciliation and of en¬ couragement ; who will teach him the means of satisfying the divine justice, and of leading a new life. The mission generally concludes by the renewal of the baptismal vows, the conse¬ cration of the parish to the Blessed Virgin, the act of reparation to the Blessed Sacrament, the solemn planting of the cross or the erection of the stations, the imparting of the plenary in¬ dulgence, the celebration of the Mass for the souls of the faithful departed, for parents, etc., and for the faithful that are present. Thus the few days occupied in a mission, with all the truths that it announces, all the works that it realizes and advises, become a source of benediction to souls that wish to profit by them. It is a work of instruction and of conversion, which undeceives those who try to deceive themselves, convinces those who are in doubt, reanimates the indifferent, and recalls the hardened sinner. It 186 Life of Father Bernard. is an extraordinary means that attacks falsehood and error directly, boldly, and perseveringly; that overthrows them, and triumphantly rears truth on their ruins. Inveterate habits, old prejudices, when they are combated by isolated sermons, always find some corner in the heart where they are concealed and nourished; but in the course of a mission the hearer is forcibly reminded, day after day, of the enormity of his crimes and the consequences of his blindness, and can no longer conceal from himself his wretched state. Null marriages are validated; ill-gotten goods are restored ; sinful habits and criminal connections are broken off; feuds are appeased, injuries are forgiven, and lawsuits are settled ; peace returns to families ; and the general aspect of parishes and countries is improved. Where incredulity, immorality, dissension, re¬ volt, and insubordination reigned, the serenity of faith and good morals, union, love, obedience, and Christian peace, are established. Husband and wife are strengthened in their love and fidelity, and sanctify their state ; parents learn to govern their households in a Christian man¬ ner ; children to obey, respect, and love their Life of Father Bernard. 187 parents ; servants, laborers, young men, those in authority, all learn to practise conscientiously and courageously that which .for a long time they observed -with lukewarmness, or had com¬ pletely forgotten. We do not mean to say that parochial missions have everywhere and always an immediate and lasting efficacy, but their usefulness cannot be denied, nor even their necessity in bringing back to the path of truth and virtue those who have strayed from it. Times remarkably evil, as are those in which we live, demand extraordinary remedies. That faith and the Christian life may replace im¬ piety and vice, it is* not sufficient that the paro¬ chial clergy appeal constantly to the people, and guide them by their daily teachings and example ; but it is necessary that a priest who has volun¬ tarily devoted himself to the .salvation of all Christians should use extraordinary means with all classes of society, and particularly with those who are most ignorant in matters of religion, in order to enlighten, move, console them; to wound them, if necessary, and then heal them by the wound itself. This is, in the order of Providence, one of the most efficacious means to 188 Life of Father Bernard,

establish everywhere the kingdom of Jesus Christ, so violently attacked in our days, the ruin of which would infallibly cause also that of the entire social edifice. Such is the task of the missionary priest. Let great intellects dispute as much as they like on the wounds of society, they cannot heal them without the assistance of good men who know not how to speak so brilliantly, but who know how to act and suffer, because they believe in Jesus Christ, and obtain from him strength different from that which is employed in books and in courts of justice. The unfortunate always stand in need of the missionary to assist and console them in their bodily sufferings, and communicate to the ignorant, to the guilty, and to the people in general the powerful aids of the moral and spiritual life.” * Experience has already too clearly demonstrat¬ ed that the elevated theories of the journalist, the mere ordinances of the police, the best regula¬ tions of the civil administration, are altogether inadequate for the moral improvement of the

* Mgr. Dechamps, Saint Vincent de Paul et les Miserables^ chapter vii. Life of Father Bernard, 189

people and for the relief of their miseries. The Church alone can reform and restore peace to society, by calling torpid souls to a sense of the Christianity of the Church, which alone can rule the rich as the poor, those who govern as well as those who are governed. The missionaries—we may well say the messengers of salvation to parishes—are, in this respect, the foremost and in¬ dispensable workers of the Church; their aim is eminently and Christianly popular; their concur¬ rence is even more necessary in those fields where tares have been sown by the disseminators of evil. In a word, to the tumultuous gatherings of im¬ piety should be opposed the pacific assemblies of religion ; at intervals the people should be profoundly moved by the voice of the ministers of God and the dispensers of his mysteries. It matters but little whether this apostolate is exercised by secular priests or by those be¬ longing to a religious community ; the princi¬ pal object is to preach Jesus Christ, and to restore to him souls redeemed at the price of his precious blood : “ Dummodo praedicetur Christus.” 190 Life of Father Bernard,

The secular priests who have been trained in our diocesan seminaries know the spirit of devotedness and of sacrifice that this part of the ‘ apostolate requires, and more than once have they united to manifest their zeal in the diocesan missions given in the cities and in country places.* But it must also be acknow¬ ledged that the greater part are devoted to the ordinary works of the holy ministry in the parishes, or to the education of youth in col¬ leges. From this point of view it may be said in all truth that the secular clergy are of them¬ selves insufficient to accomplish this work. The Church has wisely provided for this insufficiency in forming assistant-soldiers, who combat under the banner of a common discipline, and who can devote themselves entirely to this noble cause. To-day, as heretofore, the Franciscans, the Do¬ minicans, the Jesuits, the Lazarists, and the Redemptorists render invaluable service to re-

*Mgr. Van Hemel, Vicar-General of Cardinal Sterckx, gives an account, in his Prkis de Rhkorique Sacrk, of the zealous labors of several cures of the Diocese of Mechlin after the Revolution of 1830. The same may be said of the clergy of other dioceses of Belgium. Life of Father Bernard. igi ligioii and to the Church. Intellectually and morally prepared, by a particular education, for the work of the missions, they are especially devoted to heal sick and guilty souls, and to renew the spirit of piety and repentance, not only by their example, but also by their teach¬ ings. The great Pius IX., in his beautiful en¬ cyclical of the 17th of June, 1847, calls the religious orders “ the choice phalanx of the army of Jesus Christ, the auxiliary forces which have always been the ornament and the bul¬ wark of Christianity and the state.’’* Not to avail one’s self of their devotedness, when the enemy is always advancing, is to show that neither Jesus Christ nor souls are loved as they should be. But what Belgian bishop has not appealed to their zeal ? And what pastor worthy of the name would not procure for his flock the benefits of a mission?

*Lectissimas illas auxiliares Christi militum turmas quae maximo turn Christianae, turn civili reipublicae usui, ornamento atque praesidio semper fuerunt.

APPENDIX,

A.

Testimony given to Father Bernard by the Rector of the Roman College {page 44).

Tester ego qui infra, R. D. Hafkenscheid, Bernardum Joseph, patre Michaele, patria Am- stelodamensem, a die 8 novembris 1828 usque ad hanc diem fere per annos quatuor in hoc Collegio Romano Societatis Jesu studia theo- logiae dogmaticae absolvisse, scilicet annis qua¬ tuor theologiae dogmaticae, duobus annis theo- logiae moralis, sacrae Scripturae et historiae ecclesiasticae, anno uno linguae hebraicae: qui in omnibus iis summae diligentiae et maximi profectus certissima semper documenta dedit, adeo ut pauci cum ipso comparari potuerint; iis vero quae ad pietatem, religionem ct modes- tiam pertinent, sic semper satisfecisse, ut caeteris

193 194 Appendix. exemplo fuerit, et sibi maximam laudem com- paraverit : quocirca in solemni praemiorum dis- tributione, sub anni exitum, et praemio coho- nestatum, et anno 1830 ad baccalaureatus, anno 1831 ad prolytatus, anno tandem 1832, mense aprili, ad doctoratus gradus plenissimis suffra- giis promotum fuisse. Ex Collegio Romano Societatis Jesu, die 23 aprilis 1832. J. Baptista D0S3I, SJ., Rector Coliegii Romani. [Sigillum SJ.]

B.

Explanation of a passage in the Letter of the Very Rev. Father Passer at {page 52).

Since the Church has granted to all liberty of opinion in doubtful matters, the reader will perhaps be astonished to see the Very Rev. Vicar-General exact of Father Bernard perfect indifference of opinion on all subjects which do not pertain to faith. I therefore deem it expedient to give a few words of explanation. Appendix. 195

In a letter, dated at Nocera in 1749, Saint Alphonsus wrote to the rector of the house of Ciorani: “ As to the scholastic questions touch-, ing the sacraments, I do not wish opinions to be taught which are contrary to those that we hold in moral theology. I speak of pri¬ mary questions; for example, attrition, the minister of marriage, and also of the inten¬ tion that the minister should have to do that which the Church does, etc. In these ques¬ tions, and others of the same kind, I desire you to follow and maintain, as far as possible, the common opinions and those that I have taught myself in moral theology. Should the profes¬ sor hold, a contrary opinion, let him keep it to himself; he should, moreover, practise obedi¬ ence. . . . The common opinions are generally the most probable, and when we follow these we cannot be criticised.” * We here see that the holy and learned founder requires the professors to teach the common opinions on all primary questions. Father Passerat was too faithful a son of

* CEuvres completes de Saint Alphonse, traduction du P. Dujardin, vol. xii. p. 203. 196 . Appendix,

Saint Alphonsus to ask an arbitrary submis¬ sion that was not demanded by the saint him¬ self. But, in writing to Father Hafkenscheid, he had a particular reason to require, in advance, a perfect indifference concerning all opinions that did not regard faith. At that time Pro¬ fessor Gunther taught at Vienna a philoso¬ phical doctrine which appeared very danger¬ ous to Father Passerat, and which, at a later period, was condemned by Pius IX. The sys¬ tem of the Viennese doctor had many followers among the younger clergy. From this system the vicar-general wished to preserve the mem¬ bers of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Not yet personally knowing the young doctor of theology, who applied to him for admission, he was right in putting him to the test beforehand by exacting submission to the superiors on all opinions that entered not into the domain of faith. Appendix, 197

C.

The Convent^at Wittem {Page 63).—Father Ber¬ nard in the Netherlands {Page 85).

The convent at Wittem, situated in Limburg, between Maestricht and Aix-la-Chapelle, was the fourth community founded by the Redemp- torists in Belgium. For a long time they felt the necessity of having a separate house for the students of the Congregation, the Novitiate of Saint-Trond being too small to accommodate them. They therefore purchased the ancient convent of the Capuchins at Wittem, near Galoppe, where the fathers had given their first mission.*''* The establishment of the Red com¬ munity at Wittem took place on the 12th of January, 1836, under the auspices of Father Czvitkovicz. In the beginning the new convent

* This convent was built by the Count of Plettenberg the same year (1732) that Saint Alphonsus founded his Congrega¬ tion at Scala. During the French Revolution it passed into the hands of seculars, and was only restored to its religious purpose on its purchase by the Rederaptorists in December,

1835. 198 Appcndix.

was to be considered a house of studies ; but the people for miles around congregated there to go to confession and to hear the word of God, giving it the appearance of a continual mission. That part of Limburg in which the house of Wittem is situated was detached from Belgium in virtue of the treaty of the Twenty-Four Arti¬ cles. This was a dispensation of an amiable Providence, as the Congregation was thus placed under the sceptre of the King of the Nether¬ lands.* But this situation became, at the same time, dangerous for the convent at Wittem, and the religious could not conceal their apprehensions. Until then the Netherlands government did not permit any ancient community to receive novices, and it was feared that it would not be less in¬ tolerant with regard to a congregation of recent creation. King William I., fearing to displease the Catholics of his kingdom, did not take any meas¬ ures contrary to the interests of the religious in¬ stitutes founded since 1830. In 1840 he abdi-

* Wittem has formed, since then, a part of the Diocese of Ruremonde. Appendix, 199 cated the crown in favor of his son, William II. The latter, acting from motives of justice towards his Catholic subjects, granted them, among other rights, that of religious associations and of the Catholic apostolate. The convent at Wittem was even recognized in an especial manner, thanks to the intervention of Gregory XVI., as William II. declared at his visit to Limburg. During the royal visit that he made to the con¬ vent, June 18, 1840, he said to the fathers: “ It appears that you are the Benjamins of the Pope ; for he has particularly recommended your con¬ vent to me.” On observing P'ather Bernard near him he said: “ Here is the man who ac¬ complishes more good with regard to morals than our army has been able to do evil.” ^ His majesty entered his name on the list of the benefactors and protectors of the house. The legal existence which the Protestant king

* It must be remembered that from 1830 to 1839 Northern Brabant had a standing army of from 80,000 to 100,000 men. Two-thirds of this army were Protestants ; three-fourths were unmarried. The moral condition of such troops may easily be imagined. There is no exaggeration in saying that Father Bernard was the man sent by Providence to refor^n their morals by his preaching. 200 A ppendix. granted to the Redemptorists at Wittem gave him a claim to the gratitude of the community. Rev. Father de Held accordingly sent Father Bernard to the Hague, at the close of the year 1840, to express to his majesty the sentiments of their gratitude. On this occasion Father Ber¬ nard preached in many churches of the Hague and of Amsterdam, and God gave abundant bless¬ ings to his zeal. His presence in these large cities drew the attention of the public to the Congregation, and soon after several priests of the Hague, Amsterdam, and Leyden sought for admission into the family of St. Alphonsus. From this time Father Bernard commenced the work of the missions in Northern Brabant and in Limburg. He also gave retreats to the seminarians, and by his zeal induced several priests to join him in his labors. From the year 1842 their number became so great that it was evident the hand of God guided th^se new evan¬ gelical labors. In 1848 the Redemptorists established two new communities in the kingdom of the Nether¬ lands. Towards the close of the year 1855 new province of Holland was established. Appendix, 201

Father Looyaard, a native of the Diocese of Harlem, sent me an interesting letter regarding these matters, a portion of which I here insert: “ You know the condition of the Catholic Church in our provinces from the beginning of the intolerant Reformation until the close of the last century. It must be acknowledged that the Revolution, with its motto of liberty and equality, has been advantageous to Catholics; but after more than two hundred years of persecution, we find ourselves in a state of inferiority and, we may even say, of prostration before the followers of Calvin and Luther. This is felt even in re¬ ligious discussion in so far as we generally con¬ fine ourselves to the defensive with regard to our erring brethren. “ Since 1842 the Redemptorists conducted the annual retreats given to the clergy in that por¬ tion of the Holland Mission which now forms our diocese.. “ Before his departure for America, and after his return from Ireland, the incomparable Father Bernard nearly always conducted these holy ex¬ ercises. “ During one of the first retreats he had an 202 Appendix.

interview with Professor Broere, the principal editor of the review De Katholiek. He called his attention to the style of religious contro¬ versy then in vogue. ^ It betrays weakness,’ he said to him, ‘ to confine ourselves to the de¬ fensive. We are children of the Church and of the truth; our adversaries are heretics or unbe¬ lievers; it is, then, our duty to take the offen¬ sive, and to expose to the public the erroneous doctrines of Protestantism and of impiety.’ “ M. Broere and his learned associates. Van Vree, Wennekendonck, and others, profited by this observation. Of this we have sufficient proof in many articles of the Katholiek^ in which the writings of Protestants are attacked with wonderful vigor, erudition, and logic, and to which our adversaries have never attempted to reply.”

Missions of the Rede77iptorists in Holland i^page 87).

We find in the Jour^ial Historique et Litteraire of M. Kersten, tom. x. page 449 et seq. (Janu¬ ary, 1844), these observations: Appendix, 203

Since the royal approbation, granted towards the close of 1840, to the fathers of the Congre¬ gation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Holland, and for the free exercise of the missions in this country, these indefatigable workers have la¬ bored much in this portion of the field of the Church. The two vicariates of Bois-le-Duc and Br6da are the principal fields where they have exercised their zeal with an ever-increasing suc¬ cess. In less than three years more than one hundred thousand souls received through them the benefits of a mission ; seventy-five thousand in the vicariate of Bois-le-Duc alone. The soldiers are not computed in tlijs calcula¬ tion. The missionaries watered by their sweat eighteen places of this last-named vicariate, and fourteen in that of Breda. At the request of the late administrator of the district of Grave, Uden was the first place in which the fathers gave a mission. This was in October, 1841. The first mission given in the vicariate of Bois-le-Duc was that of Tilburg, an enter¬ prising city containing twelve thousand Ca¬ tholics, and which was for a long time the headquarters of the army of Holland. This 204 4 ppendix.

mission, which may be considered as the model of all those that followed, took place in the month of February, 1842, and was given in the churches at the same time. The results it pro¬ duced were so abundant and so permanent that they are still remarked in all classes of society, and especially in that class whose example ex¬ ercises the greatest influence. From that time all the good that could be expected from mis¬ sions in Brabant began to be seen, and the lapse of years has served but to confirm these im¬ pressions. As it would take too long to detail the suc¬ cess of e£ic\i mission in particular, we will give only the general facts, the truth of which has been guaranteed to us; although, being but counterparts of‘what is repeated in different localities, such guarantee is needless. Faithful to the rules and to the spirit of their order, the fathers remain in each locality at least ten or fifteen days, however small may be the num¬ ber of the inhabitants, so as to omit none of the most important exercises, and to gather at leisure the fruits of grace. However cold religious fervor had grown Appendix. 205 among the inhabitants, it was always revived towards the end of the mission. The touch¬ ing ceremonies of the Reparation of Honor to the Blessed Sacrament, the solemn consecra¬ tion of the parish to the Blessed Virgin, the Papal benediction, were everywhere accompa¬ nied with great religious solemnities. The rosary, preceded by an instruction (all accord¬ ing to the spirit of St. Alphonsus), recited with the people by a -father from the pulpit, was never omitted, even in the largest cities, as Breda and Bois-le-duc. This vocal and pub¬ lic prayer evidently draws down the most signal graces on the labors of the missionaries, and wonderful conversions are frequently the result. It is true that circumstances ordinarily pre¬ vented the planting of the cross, but it was often supplied by the erection of the stations, to obtain which the cures, in concert with their parishioners, spared no expense. They were often pictures painted on canvas by the best artists of the country, and valued at several thousand florins. As to the order of the exercises of the mission, it is nearly always the same. The Word of God 2o6 Appendix. is usually preached to the people three times a day, and even four times on Sundays. An instruction is given early in the morning for the working-classes, on the obligations of a Chris¬ tian and on the manner of preparing for the worthy reception of the sacraments ; and, that every one in the parish may profit by these salutary instructions, they are usually repeated in the sermon at the High Mass, especially in villages. In localities where the spiritual needs require it, as in large cities, they never fail to discuss dogmatic truths, in order to strengthen those whose faith is wavering, and to recall the erring to the truth. In the evening they treat of the great truths of religion, in order to awaken sinners from their sleep of death, and to recall tepid souls to the fervor becoming their state. The “ Miserere” is then sung, followed by the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. As to the favorable results of the exercises, one may form an idea of them from the faith of a people so attached to their religion, and where all ranks rival each other in doing good. It is a rare exception, even among the nobility. Appendix. 207 for one to reject the grace which is offered to all by the mission. We will say nothing of the tears which are so abundantly shed, nor of the sobs that drown the voice of the preacher, and often oblige him to discon¬ tinue. We will content ourselves with recalling, in passing, how consoling to religion it is to see so many sincere returns from error to truth, conversions as solid as they are numer¬ ous, those inveterate feuds changed into last¬ ing friendship, bad books burnt, scandals re¬ paired, criminal intercourses broken off or le¬ gitimatized, and considerable restitutions made both to individuals and to the government. It is certainly beautiful to see these parishes entirely freed from abuses in so short a time, and brought back to the spirit of piety, to the frequenting of the sacraments, devoted to prayer, and embracing with holy avidity the means of perseverance. What more im¬ posing sight than that of an entire city, not excepting men of letters and position, and soldiers, being invested with the scapular, or reciting aloud the rosary in honor of the Mother of God ! What may not be hoped 2o8 Appendix, for in the future from such a flock ? Other means are also employed to perpetuate the good arising from missions. Here is estab¬ lished a library of good books, there confra¬ ternities are formed ; in other places Confrater¬ nities of the Rosary and Scapular are re-estab¬ lished ; associations are everywhere formed against blasphemy. In many places such confra¬ ternities are formed, at the head of which are found ecclesiastics and the most eminent per¬ sons. But what contributes most to confirm the fruits of the exercises is the renewal of the mission—an idea for which we are indebted to the wisdom of Saint Alphonsus, who imposed it as an especial obligation on his children. Ac¬ cording to the holy founder, it should take place within six months at most after the mission, but to last for a shorter ti;ne, and to be conducted by a smaller number of missionaries. Experience daily proves the importance of these renewals. The good are strengthened; the weak are encouraged to lead good lives; sinners who at first escaped from the mystic net are generally caught at the renewals. These exercises are usuall}^ ter¬ minated by the renewal of the baptismal Appendix. 209

vows—a ceremony well adapted to crown their good resolutions. Together with this marvellous success, public order and tranquillity are never disturbed in mis¬ sions, notwithstanding the religious enthusiasm and incredible eagerness of immense crowds to hear the Word of God, which even the influence of the missionaries can scarcely keep within due bounds. From this it may be readily inferred why Mgrs. H. Den Dubbelden, Bishop of Em- maiis, and J. Van Hooydonck, Bishop of Darda- nia, asked this signal blessing for their respective dioceses. For they not only authorized and openly approved of missions, but they appreciat¬ ed this means of salvation for their flock so much that they never failed to be present, in person, iji the most important places, to close the elcercises by a solemn High Mass; not even the great distance of places nor the bad condition of roads prevented them from assisting. When, however, the advanced age of the Bishop of Bois-le-Duc prevented him from gratifying his desires in this respect, he requested his coadju¬ tor, Mgr. Zwysen, Bishop of Gerra, to take his place on these occasions, to which the worthy prelate most willingly consented. 210 Appcndix.

Considering the beautiful examples given by the ecclesiastical superiors, it is not surprising that the secular clergy without exception not only asked for missions and renewals, but follow¬ ed the example of their bishops in taking part in these meritorious labors. The bishop barely intimated his desire, when the cures, to the number of fifteen or twenty, left their parishes to assist the missionaries in the conversion of souls. Rivalling each other in zeal, they sat from morning till night in the sacred tribunal, until the close of the mission. More recently still, at Bois-le-Duc, forty-eight worthy cures, having at their head three venerable deans, came to the spiritual assistance of its immense population. How edifying to see such union be¬ tween the regular and secular clergy; and above all, how useful is not this to the Church ! What Catholic heart will not nourish the sweet hope that the old faith and simplicity of manners, which of old distinguished Northern Brabant, will soon bloom again in a field so well culti¬ vated ? Since we proposed to speak in this sketch only of the more prominent works of the Redemptor- Appendix. 2II

ist Fathers in Holland, without dwelling on the numerous retreats given by them on various oc¬ casions, both in the large and small seminaries, in convents, prisons, hospitals, and similar insti¬ tutions, we will return to the description of the fruits of the missions. The comportment of the Catholic soldiers dur¬ ing the exercises, when they took place in large cities where they were garrisoned, as Br6da, Berg-op-Zoom, Grave, Venloo, and Bois-le-Duc, was always worthy of attention and praise. As soon as the superior of the missions arrived, he made it his duty to call on the civil authori¬ ties, as also on the military officers, in order to take measures for the spiritual welfare of those under their command. The day Avas fixed on which the soldiers were to comply with their religious duties. At the appointed time they marched to the church in a body to the sound of martial music. They there found from ten to fif¬ teen confessors awaiting them. It is impossible to describe the lively and salutary emotion pro¬ duced by the spectacle of so many soldiers, young and old, all api)roacliing the holy table with that manly piety which becomes them. There 212 A ppendix. was not one of the superior officers who accom¬ panied them that did not encourage them by example having their beads publicly blessed, re¬ citing them with the people, being invested with the scapular in the presence of all, and following assiduously the exercises of the mission. Father Bernard, often struck by a piety so frank, and the edification that resulted from it, could not re¬ frain from publicly expressing his satisfaction and gratitude. The sick are also objects of the solicitude of the good missionaries. On the day following the close of the mission, after the Requiem Mass for the deceased of the parish, at which one of the fathers delivers a discourse on the souls in pur¬ gatory, they visit the sick, hear their confessions, invest them with the scapular, and impart to them the Papal benediction. If the number of sick be too great, the cur6s assist the fathers in this charitable work. It would be unjust were we to conclude without bestowing praise on the conduct of the Protestants in general during the course of the missions. They not only did not interfere with the efforts of the missionaries, but on all occasions showed them the greatest respect. Appendix. 213

Many of them, even some of the municipal au¬ thorities, assisted at the principal exercises, and expressed great satisfaction, acknowledging that the fathers enlightened them without wounding their feelings. This is a faithful account of the labors of the missionaries of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Holland during the last three years. It is certainly not wanting in interest to all Catholics who have at heart the cause of God and the good of the Church. It will furnish hereafter a beautiful page in the history of this country; for it must not be forgotten that all this has transpired in a Protestant land, where Catholics still meet with great opposition from a certain party that is anything but tole¬ rant. It is true that the missionaries come to the parishes without ostentation, and leave in the same manner, satisfied with having procured the glory of God and the salvation of souls; but we must also remark that from the very beginning they wore the habit of their order. With the mission cross suspended from their necks, and the rosary from their cinctures, they exercised their laborious ministry, and with truly apostolic 214 Appendix.

freedom preached the truth in all its power. What will be the result of these labors? God alone knows! In the meantime, let us bless the Father of mercies for having bestowed so abundantly his blessing on this people; and we most ardently desire that still other countries may profit by such beautiful examples. We cannot omit in concluding to say a word in regard to the vicariate of Limburg. Before the cession of the territory, the most important places of that diocese, such as Ruremonde, Ven- loo, etc., had already received the advantage of a mission. Since the cession the hotise of Wittem has continued its labors there. Two jubilees were given at Maestricht; a second mission has been given at Venloo, as well as at Sittard; other places also received the same favor, to which the fathers are ex¬ pected soon to return. Those who know the well-directed zeal of the Bishop of Hir^ne, Mgr. Paredis, also know the good that may be expected in the future. Appendix. 215

E.

Rev. Fathers Passerat^ De Held.^ and Dechamps.

In this biographical notice of Father Bernard frequent mention has been made of Fathers Passerat, De Held, and Dechamps, priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. We will devote a few pages to them. I. Joseph Passerat, born in 1772, at Joinville (Champagne), entered the seminary of ChMons- sur-Marne at the breaking out of the Revolu¬ tion. Obliged to quit the seminary, and being thrown into prison by the republicans, he obtain¬ ed his liberty through the influence of some of the nobility who interested themselves in his behalf. On the entry of the Germans into France he was forcibly enrolled into the French army, in which he held the position of drum-major and quarter¬ master. He effected his escape, and repaired to Treves, and from thence to Augsburg and Wurz¬ burg, where he devoted himself to the study of ecclesiastical sciences. Hearing of the won¬ ders accomplished in Poland by the Venerable 2I6 Appendix.

Clement-Maria Hoffbauer, * he resolved to de¬ part for Warsaw, where this man of God resided. Having been admitted to the novitiate, he pro¬ nounced his vows in 1796, and was ordained priest the following year. The limits of a note do not permit us to de¬ scribe in detail the apostolic career of Father Passerat. Suffice it to say that the Most Rev. Father Mansione, rector-major, appointed him vicar-general of the Congregation in the north. From that time Father Passerat resided in Vienna, at the Convent of ‘‘ Maria-Stiegen.” In 1848 he resigned his office, and took up his resi¬ dence in the convent at Tournay. It was there this extraordinary man, so experienced in the in¬ terior life, yielded his soul to God, October 30, 1858, at the age of eighty-six years. He had passed nearly sixty-two years in the Congrega¬ tion of Saint Alphonsus.

^'Venerable Clement-Maria Hoffbauer, a native of Moravia, died at Vienna in the odor of sanctity, March 15, 1820. See notice of him in the work of Cardinal de Villecourt, Vie ei Institut de Saint Alphonse-Marie de Liguori (Casterman, Tour- nay, 1864), vol. iii.; Appendix to book iv.; and in the Memoires sicr la Vie et la Congregation de Saint Alphonse^ by Father Tannoya (Gaume, Paris, 1842), vol. iii. page 713 seq. Appendix. 217

If Father Hoffbauer, says Cardinal Villecourt, had received from God the mission of instilling into the members of the institute the ardent zeal and indefatigable activity of the holy founder, Father Passerat may justly be called the master of the spiritual life, destined to revive more and more, among the Redemptor- ists, the spirit of prayer.* II. Frederick de Held, son of Michael von Held, Chevalier of the Empire, the offspring of a noble family of Vienna, was born at Brunn, July 17, 1799. He was very successful in his studies, which he pursued at the University of Vienna, where the Very Rev. Father Clement-Maria Hoff¬ bauer, vicar-general of the Congregation, resided after having been expelled from Warsaw by the government. Father Hoffbauer formed at Vienna a circle of the most distinguished Catholics; among others, Frederick de Schlegel, Adam Muller, Frederick Henry Schlosser, Zacharias, Frederick Werner, and Klinkowstrom.f Some distinguished stu-

* Vk et Institut de Saint Alphonse, vol. iii. page 375. f Frederick de Schlegel founded, in 1811, the Oesterreich- ische Beobachfer (the Austrian Observer), in concert wfth 2I8 Appendix, dents of the university were also admitted. They assembled in the evening at the house of the venerable religious to discuss religious matters, and to consider the stand that Catholics should take in opposition to the pretensions of the government. Young De Held, being admitted into the society of these illustrious men, soon formed a friendship with Father Hoffbauer, and became one of his most fervent disciples. Father Hoffbauer died, as saintly as he had lived, March 15, 1820. When, on the 30th of April of the same year, the Emperor Francis signed a decree granting to the Congregation a legal existence in the empire, Frederick de Held and other young candidates, already ac¬ quainted with the end of the Institute, com¬ menced their novitiate under the direction of Father Martin Stai'ck.* Father de Held had attained the age of twen¬ ty-two years when he made his religious profes-

another Catholic, Anthony de Pilat, a brother of the pious Redemptorist of that name. *The emperor assigned to the community the beautiful church of Maria-Sliegen^ which Father Hoffbauer considered suitable for his purpose. Appendix. 21-9

sion, August 2, 1821. He was promoted to the priesthood August 21, 1823. He was destined by Providence to contribute in an efficacious manner to the propagation of the work of Saint Alphonsus, and consequently to the organization of spiritual missions in both the city and coun¬ try. The reader is no doubt aware that Father Jo¬ seph Passerat succeeded Father Clement-Maria Hoffbauer as superior. It was he who thirteen years later (1833) sent Father de Held to Bel¬ gium to direct the communities just established in the dioceses of Tournay and Li6ge. It is no matter of surprise that he won the esteem and affection of Mgr. Corneille van Bommel. “ Never,” said the pious prelate, “have I met a priest of more energy of character or of more consummate prudence.” It is, above all, to the labors of Father de Held and to the protection of the Bishop of Liege that the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer owes its first or¬ ganization in Belgium. In 1832 Father de Held repaired to Nocera dci Pagani, where reposed the remains of Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, to assist at the chapter of 220 Appendix, the entire Congregation for the election of the superior-general. In 1855 he was of the num¬ ber of those who received many votes for this exalted position. Rev. Father Nicholas Mauron, Provincial of France, was elected. Father de Held had been rector of the convent of Li6ge from the time of its foundation, in 1833, until 1841, and was at the same time the visitor of the Belgian houses. At the erection of the Belgian province, July 2, 1841, he was appointed provincial. Father Victor Dechamps became his successor as rector of the convent at Liege^ Father de Held filled the office of provincial until the close of 1847. Under his prudent administration and by his indefatigable zeal the Belgian province was enlarged by the founda¬ tions in Holland and England, which afterwards became separate provinces. In 1864 Father de Held had fhe consolation of being called to Vienna to assist as witness in the process for the beatification of his master in the spiritual life, the venerable servant of God, Clement-Maria Hoffbauer. After having resided at Liege, at Clapham Appendix» 221

(London), and at Wittem, in the capacity of rec¬ tor or provincial, Father de Held was for many years attached to the community of Aix-la-Cha- pelle ; the religious persecution which has just broken out in Germany has obliged this venera¬ ble religious, now in his seventy-fifth year, to leave his country and taste the bitterness of exile. May God preserve him yet many years, to be the consolation and the father of the re¬ ligious who are now suffering persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ ! III. Victor Augustus Isidore Dechamps, the descendant of a respectable family of Flainault, was born at Melle (East Flanders), December 6, i8io; he is the third son of Adrian Joseph De¬ champs and Alexandrine Josephine de Nuit. After having finished his literary and p#hiloso- phical studies under the direction of his father, who was a distinguished pupil of the old Alma Mater, Victor entered the grand s^minaire of Tournay, towards the end of October, 1832, in order to prepare for the priesthood. In Novem¬ ber, 1834, he was sent to Mechlin to continue his theological studies at the Catholic University then recently erected by the Belgian episcopacy. 222 Appendix,

He was ordained priest at IMechlin, December 20, 1834, by Mgr. Engelbert Sterckx. Who would have thought that on, the same date, December 20, 1867, he would be appointed by the Holy See the immediate successor of him who had ordain¬ ed him ? Abbe Dechamps, while yet a student in the episcopal seminary of Tournay, learned to know and love the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer; and from that time he felt called by heaven to be a missionary. While studying at the university he obtained the sanc¬ tion of his bishop to leave the ranks of the se¬ cular clergy, and was admitted into the family of Saint Alphonsus Liguori.* Having commenced his novitiate at Saint Trond in the autumn of 1835, under the direction of Father Villani, he pronounced his religious vows June 13, 1836, in the hands of Rev. Father de Held. From this time until January, 1842, Father Victor Dechamps filled in the house of Wittem

* His eldest brother, Adolphus Dechamps, at present Min¬ ister of State, was born in 1806. In the Nouvelle Eve he gives an account of his vocation to the ecclesiastical and reli¬ gious state. Appendix. f223

the office of prefect of studies, and gave lessons in Scripture and dogma to his younger brothers in religion. In this studious retreat he ripened his natural talents, and made his first appear¬ ance in the pulpit. From 1842 until the close of 1847 we find him at the head of the Redemptorist Convent at Li6ge. During this interval he took a most ac¬ tive part in many missions in small villages of the Walloon diocese, and in many large cities of the country. From this period he proved to be not only one of the most eminent preachers of Belgium, but also an able apologist by his writings. At the grand jubilee at Li6ge, in 1846, he gained great renown. In January, 1848, he was named Superior of the Convent of Tournay. In this capacity he made his first voyage to Italy. Fathers Heilig, Hugues, and Dechamps were appointed con- sultors-general of the Congregation, and resided at Nocera for several months. They defended the interests of their order before Ferdinand II., King of Naples, who gave them an audience in the palace of Caserta. At the royal palace of Portici, in the kingdom of Naples, Father De- 224 Appendix.

champs had, on several occasions, the signal hap¬ piness of prostrating himself at the feet of His Holiness Pius IX., and held long communica¬ tions with him.* In these interviews, which were intimate, the pious and eloquent Belgian Redemptorist became a favorite son of the great Pope. He afterwards made several pilgrimages to Rome for the welfare of the Congregation. Father Dechamps had scarcely returned to Belgium when he received an invitation to de¬ liver the funeral oration of Her Majesty Louise Marie Ther^se of Orleans, the first queen of the Belgians, who died a holy death October ii, 1850. On the 24th of the same month the obse¬ quies of the queen were magnificently celebrated in the Church of Saints Michael and Gudula, at Brussels, by Cardinal Sterckx, in the presence of the corps de Vdtat. Father Dechamps, who had many opportunities of seeing and admiring the pious and charitable daughter of Louis Philippe

* Pius IX., having sought an asylum in Gaeta in No¬ vember, 1848, went to Portici on the 4th of September, 1849, where he remained about seven months. He triumphantly returned to his capital April 12, 1850, which had been de¬ livered by the French army, July 3, 1849. Appendix, 225 and Marie Amdlie, pronounced a touching dis¬ course, of which even the first words deeply affect¬ ed the audience. This masterpiece of Christian eloquence was reproduced by the entire press, and obtained lasting applause throughout Europe. In 1851 Father Dechamps succeeded the Very Rev. Father Heilig as Provincial of Belgium. Freed, after three years, from the laborious duties which are inseparable from the office of provincial, he was called to resume the rector¬ ship of Tournay. He passed a great part of the year 1855 in the capital of the Christian world. He acted there as vocalj elected by the Chapter of the Province of Belgium to the General Chapter of the Insti¬ tute of St. Alphonsus. From the close of 1855 until the commence¬ ment of 1859 resided in the Convent of St. Joseph at Brussels, in the capacity of rector. At his request he was relieved of all direction of the convent, and devoted himself exclusively to preaching, to the direction of souls, and to the completion of his great apologetical Avritings. Father Dechamps seemed exhausted by the la¬ bors of the cell and those of the holy ministry. 226 Appendix, but no repose was given him. His vast learning, added to an incomparable zeal for the salvation/ of souls, opened to him against his will the path to another kind of apostolate. Mgr. Nicolas Joseph Dehesselle, Bishop of Namur, having been suddenly taken from his flock, on the 15th of August, 1865, Father De¬ champs was called to Rome and presented to Pius IX., who had already for some years fixed his eyes upon him. Preconized for the vacant see in the secret consistory of September 25, 1865, he received on the first of the following month the episcopal character by the imposi¬ tion of the hands of his Eminence Cardinal de Reisach, assisted by Mgr. Joseph Berardi, Arch¬ bishop of Nicea in partibus^ and Mgr. Henry Edward Manning, Archbishop of Westminster. The ceremony of consecration took place in the Church of the Redemptorists in Rome. Ten days after the new bishop pronounced, in the Cathedral of Frascati, the funeral oration of his spiritual son, General Lamorici^re, who died on the eleventh of the preceding month. He had been the instrument chosen by God to make this illustrious warrior a true Christian, and to Appendix 227 cause him to devote his sword to the defence of the Papacy. Mgr. Victor Augustus Dechamps took canonical possession of the bishopric of Namur October 25, and was personally installed in his cathedral on the 12th of November, to commence a new life of apostolic work and sacrifice. He chose for his coat of arms the image of Our Lady of Good Counsel, in which Saint Alphonsus had great confidence, and for armorial motto the invocation of the Church : Pervia coeli porta manesf^ In 1867 his Lordship the Bishop of Namur returned to the Eternal City to assist with his venerable colleagues at the eighteenth centenary of the martyrdom of Saint Peter, and at the canonization of the martyrs of Gorcum. In a consistory held December 20th of the same year he was preconized to the metropolitan and primatial see of Mechlin, which Cardinal Sterckx, his intimate friend, had governed and rendered illustrious for more than thirty-five years. On December 31 he took possession of his new see through Mgr. J. B. Lauwers, the oldest of the

* The motive of this choice is sufficiently indicated in chapter xxiv. of the Nouvelle Eve. 228 Appendix.

three vicars-general, and made his solemn en¬ trance into the city and Church of Saint Rom- baut January 28, 1868. Propriety requires us to say no more. In the exalted position that Mgr. Dechamps has oc¬ cupied for six years he remains, what he was before he was raised to this dignity, a Redemp- torist in heart and soul. May heaven grant to the Primate of Belgium an episcopacy that will surpass in duration that of his eminent prede¬ cessor, for the good of the diocese, the country, and the entire Church !

F.

Letter of the Rev. Father de Held^ Provmcial of Belgium^ to the Rev. Father Victor De champs^ Rector of the Redemptorist Convent hi LRge {Page 105).

On Board the “Hibernia,” April 28, 1845.

Reverend and dear Father Rector ; This is the tenth day of our voyage. It would fill a little journal were I to note down all that Appendix. 229

has happened until now. But I desire to send you news without delay. After having sustained a furious temp’est, we now hope to arrive at Halifax (a place belonging to the English, a voyage of thirty hours from Boston) in three or four days. We will there mail our letters for Europe; they will leave Halifax May 3, and thus I hope you will receive news from us about the middle of the same month. Father Kaltenbach will have received my letter from Hanley. Our voyage to Liverpool was prosperous. I found all those persons to whom I desired to speak. We met our travelling companions there, and on Saturday, the 19th of April, at half-past four o’clock in the evening, we left the harbor for the New World. During the first days of our voyage, and even until the close of the past week, we had favorable weather. Besides the dangers attendant on all sea- voyages, we have met with one peculiar to steamships: that of being burned in the middle of the ocean. On Monday, the 21st inst., while at supper, at about eight o’clock in the evening, a fire broke out in the kitchen. It was 230 Appendix, an hour and a half before we could master it; three times we believed it extinguished, and as often did it break out again with renewed vio¬ lence. We finally conquered it, and could re¬ turn thanks to Divine Providence and to the Blessed Virgin for having delivered us from the first danger. It was great enough to give us an opportunity of making an offering of our lives to our Heavenly Father. During Friday night there arose a tempest that lasted until Monday morning, and placed us in new dangers. This danger may perhaps have appeared greater to us, because of our in¬ experience in sea-voyages, than to those who are more accustomed to them. However, one can¬ not describe such things but according to the impressions made upon him. I will, then, re¬ late our perils as I felt them.

Tuesday, April 29, 1845, i o’clock.

My narration was interrupted yesterday, and now that I resume, we are in the midst of still greater dangers. We are surrounded by moun¬ tains of ice, and in such a manner that nothing but a miracle can save us. We have to-day Appendix. 231

prepared ourselves for death, and made our con¬ fessions as if for the last time. I resume the recital where I left off yester¬ day. As regards the time of the tempest, it was most terrible during the night of Saturday. I did not close my eyes. The violent and ir¬ regular motion of the ship, the howling of the winds, the continual creaking of the vessel, which seemed ready to be rent asunder at every lash of the waves—all this so forcibly affected the feel¬ ings and the imagination that at every instant we believed we would be buried in the deep. I passed this night also in prayer, making acts of resignation, and recommending my soul to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, to Saint Alphonsus and all the saints. The morning, with the exception of the dark¬ ness, had lost nothing of the horrors of the night. As during the night, at every moment the waves fell with the greatest violence on the vessel, entering the cabins by various ways. I always considered a sea-voyage as something full of dangers; but the reality far surpasses the idea that one may form of it. Under such cir¬ cumstances the advantage of steamships over 232 Appendix.

sailing-vessels is evinced by the fact that, in spite of the weather, they always make head¬ way, though it be ever so little. In the worst weather we advanced three miles—that is to say, a good league—in an hour. During the night of Saturday we met with another danger, of which we knew nothing until the next day. Between midnight and one o’clock the rudder- chain broke, and for more than an hour we were drifting about without rudder, at the mercy of wind and wave. It is under such circumstan¬ ces that the English sailor is to be admired ; he loses neither presence of mind nor calmness in the midst of the most imminent dangers. For this reason many will not risk the perils of the ocean on ships not manned by English sailors. We had many opportunities of acknow¬ ledging the great civility and kindness of the entire crew of the Hibernia.

Tuesday, 9 p.m. I know not whether you will receive this letter or not, but I will continue in the hope that Divine Providence and the Blessed Virgin will save us. For several hours we have been sur- Appendix. 233

rounded by icebergs, and, in order not to cause further damage to the wheels, already in a bad condition, we made no progress during the night. Notwithstanding the assurances of the captain that he has escaped greater dangers, our posi¬ tion is very perilous. Father Bayer, who has made the- voyage several times, says that a miracle alone will save us. He also made his confession, as if for the last time. It seems that, notwithstanding the courage that all endeavor to assume by eating, laughing, and amusing themselves, they all really share our anxiety; for the discovery of a ship, seen in the distance, about eight o’clock in the evening, con¬ trary to all expectation, filled every one with joy. This vessel belonged to men in search of seal. They sent lis a large boat, warning us that there was much ice in the direction we had taken, bu^ gave us hopes that towards mid¬ night we would find the sea less obstructed. These men liave advised us to wait until morn¬ ing, when they will conduct us through the ice. Good-night, then, until the morning, if we be alive. N.B.—Here it is half-past nine o’clock at 234 Appendix. night; with you it is one o’clock in the morning

Wednesday, April 30, a.m.

We are still in the ice. We have profited by the delay to repair the damage done to the vessel, and to make an ice-breaker to be attach¬ ed to our ship. The sealers whom we met last night came on board this morning, and acted as our pilots. They are brave Irish Catholics, sent by the Blessed Virgin in order to save us, if we are to be saved. The captain is very well sat¬ isfied to avail himself of the assistance of these brave men, whose boat we have taken in tow. It is a frightful thing to find ourselves surround¬ ed on all sides by these great mountains of ice, on which the fishermen pursue the seal that crouch here and there upon them. We continue to pray and to be resigned to the fate which Divine Providence has in store for irs.

Wednesday, 9 o’clock p.m.

We continued our journey in the midst of the ice until seven o’clock in the evening, when the* captain stopped the engine, in order not to expose the machinery, and, above all. the Appendix. 235

wheels, that have already been damaged. Those who have frequently made this voyage do not recollect ever to have encountered such a quantity of ice. They say that this winter, which has been so rigorous in Europe, has # been extremely mild in the northern seas, where the thaw commenced in the month of January. Every one recognized an especial mark of the favor of Providence in the arri¬ val of the Newfoundland fishermen. Their captain remained for an entire day exposed to the bitter frost on the top of the ship’s ladder, and guided us through the icebergs with astonishing intrepidity and certainty. We had already taken up a subscription for the purpose of securing their services as far as Halifax, when suddenly a difficulty arose between our captain and pilot, to the great regret of all the passengers, some of whom had offered them from two hundred to two hundred and fifty francs if they would con¬ duct us to Halifax; but our rescuers left us, and here we are floating about on the ocean during the night, and surrounded by ice. It seems, however, that we have passed the great- 236 Appe7idix,

est dangers. We confide in the Blessed Virgin, whose beautiful month commences to-morrow ; unfortunately for us, it is not very agreeable to begin the month of May in the midst of seal- hunts. Good-night. With you it is now one o’clock in the morning. As for myself, I am going on deck to pray before retiring for the night.

May I, Feast of the Ascension,

I o’clock p.m. With you it will soon be five o’clock; you are preaching at Notre Dame. To-day, the first day of the month of May, to¬ wards eleven o’clock, we passed the last iceberg. It was frightful to behold. When we arose, the sun was shining brightly, but the weather was very cold, and we found ourselves surrounded by as much ice as ever. Those who have made the voyage twenty times never witnessed such a sight. We advanced very slowly, and, to all appearances, there was no hope of being speedily relieved from our precarious position. Every one, even the officers, appeared quite dejected. Great, then, was the joy of all when towards eleven Appendix. 237 o’clock we found ourselves beyond the ice, and the sea free and calm. The moment we passed this last iceberg was truly grand and imposing, especially when, for the first time in the fifty- three hours that we passed in the ice, the cap¬ tain cried out: '‘'‘Full steam!'' Are we now at the end of our trials? God alone knows. We hope; and Father Bayer continues to say that it is by miracle we have escaped these perils.

Friday, May 2.

We finally escaped from the icebergs yes¬ terday, and we joyfully continued our journey with great swiftness. It was, however, necessary to take a more southern course than we had in¬ tended, so as not to be impeded again by the troublesome icebergs. From time to time we still meet them, as high as mountains. They seem to be firm in the sea. During the day, when we are out of danger, they are magnificent to be¬ hold ; but it is a different thing at night, because of the extreme rashness of our captain. We were sailing with great rapidity, the fog not per¬ mitting us to distinguish anything, when sud¬ denly we found ourselves in front of one of these 238 Appendix.

frightful mountains. We barely avoided a col¬ lision, which would have inevitably crushed us in the twinkling of an eye. The ship did not escape without damage. Again we must cry out: Misericordice Domini^ quia 7ion suinus con- siimpti. Last evening, while walking on deck, I thought of this danger, and made the Way of the Cross for having been preserved. It is hardly probable that I can send you this letter as soon as I expected. It is particularly on the sea that we can say: Homo proponit^ Deus disporiit. In the midst of so many dangers one is pain¬ fully affected by the thought of being among Protestants, who have not the gift of prayer; all they do is to read some passages of the Bible, many copies of which are found in the library of the ship. Thanks be to God, we arrived at Halifax yes¬ terday, and offered there the first Mass of thanksgiving. Although it was already two o’clock in the afternoon, I was very happy to be able to offer the Holy Sacrifice. We are now on our way to Boston, where we hope to arrive to¬ morrow morning. We will celebrate holy Mass Appejidix, 239

there, and remain till Wednesday, when we will go by rail to New York. If Very Rev. Father Vicar-General is with you, kiss his hand for me. Remember me to all my dear confreres; my travelling companions desire the same kind re¬ membrance. Continue to pray for us, and par¬ ticularly for your devoted brother in Jesus Christ, Fr. de Held, C.SS.R. P. S.—Kind regards to our friends and ac¬ quaintances.

Letter of Rev, Father Gillet to the Very Rev, Father de Held,

Monroe, April 13, 1845.

Very Rev. Father Provincial: It is always with the greatest joy that I receive news from Belgium, and above all from your reverence. I received your last letter in August, on my return from the long journey I had made to Baltimore to regulate affairs with Father Alexander concerning our new French founda¬ tion. I am glad to hear that you approve of my 240 Appendix.

enterprise, and I count on your reverence to support it ; for it must contribute greatly to the glory of God in a country where are found so many abandoned souls, deprived of all the aids of religion. In selecting the little city of Monroe for our establishment I had in view to make it the centre of the mission, from whence our fathers can go to different parts of the large State of Michigan, and even beyond it, to give regular missions and to repeat those already given. We have been more than a year at Monroe. My companions at present are Father Poilvache, two candidate lay brothers, and an Irish student of theology. Our church, which is Gothic, is 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, with a tower 100 feet high; but as it is too small to accommodate the faithful, we have commenced the work of adding a sanctuary of twenty-eight feet. At the back of the church I have laid the foundation of a brick convent, which will be thirty-five feet wide and seventy long. I hope to complete the work this year. Our parish at Monroe is composed of French Canadians, Irish, and Germans. Besides the parish, properly so called, nine stations, constituting part of the Appendix. 241

parish, are attended by us, seven of which are composed entirely of Irish. Judge by this whether I stand in want of a fast horse. I will soon have served an apprenticeship in the art of riding. Being forced to speak English, I have succeeded pretty well, so that now I frequently preach in that language. Father Poilvache usually attends the parish and the P'rench mis¬ sions. As to missions which are called for from all parts, I have been obliged to refuse them until the arrival of other fathers. My furthest station from here is about sixty miles. We therefore sometimes carry the Holy Viaticum to the sick to the distance of sixty miles from Monroe. An immense field is open in this country to the sons of Saint Alphonsus. The good that has already been performed by the grace of God is incalculable; but who can measure all that is yet to be done ? How many missions demanded! How many French Congregations yet deprived of priests, and for how long a time! I desire to be every¬ where when I think of so many needs. Often, in casting my eyes on Europe, and particularly on Belgium, I cannot but be astonished to see 242 Appendix. among so many priests so few who dream of the vast field that lies open here to their zeal. The Catholic religion has spread particularly in Mon¬ roe ; many Protestants have already made their abjuration, and I have about a dozen more who are under instruction! Catholics by becoming temperate have at the same time become fer¬ vent. To renounce spirituous liquors is the chief point; thus I insist upon it, and unceasingly preach temperance from a conviction that it is the first step for a Canadian towards becom¬ ing a good Catholic. During the past year and a half I have given the pledge—that is to say, received the promise of temperance—to four thousand Canadians, who are divided into seven societies. That of Monroe numbers one thousand two hundred members. This society is established in the manner of a confraternity, having monthly meetings and a rule approved by Mgr. Lefevre, Bishop of Detroit. Such, Veiy Rev. Father, in a few words, is the result of our labors. God has visibly blessed them, and has made use of weak instruments like ourselves to recall so many abandoned souls to the practice of their religion. All bless our Lord for the Appendix, 243

happy change effected among the French. Even the Protestants are astonished, and more than once they have borne witness to the truth in their journals, and acknowledged their inability to effect like results. I alone complain in seeing fall upon me the cares of this new foundation, the fatigues, of so many stations, and, above all, those for the Irish, I am always sustained by the hope that you will not abandon me, and that you will lighten the burden that has been laid upon my shoulders in placing me at the head of this mission. Send me, if you please, a good father to take charge of the mission, and, above all, some zeal¬ ous missionaries. As for health, there is nothing to fear; no one was more feeble thart myself in this respect, and now, with the Canadian fare, frugal as it is, I am able to sustain alone the fa¬ tigues of an entire mission, preaching two or three times a day. Why have I not here some confreres from Li6ge ? Have the goodness to thank M- K-for me for his kindness in sending me his journal, which I receive regularly. My regards to all my confreres at Li6ge, etc. Father Louis Gillet, C.SS.R. 244 Appendix,

G.

Notice of Father Poilvache^ by Rev. F. Gillet

{Page I lo).

February 12, 1848. My dear Friend : I have j’ust received the letter in which you inform me of the sad and afflicting news of the death, as sudden as it was premature, of Rev. Father Poilvache, a priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, who died at Monroe, Michigan, on the night of the 26th of January last, after an illness of from ten to twelve hours. For twenty years a faithful witness of the vir¬ tues of the deceased, a companion of his early youth and of his studies, as well as of his apos¬ tolic career, I have been able to appreciate the purity of his zeal, the goodness of his heart, and the heroism of his virtues. It would also have been a sweet consolation for me to be present at his last hour; but God has otherwise ordained. Voluntarily exiled for the love of Jesus Christ, he died in a foreign land, many thousand miles from his country, leaving to his parents and hisx friends no other inheritance than his lessons of Appendix. 245

virtue, and of himself no other remembrance than his name. It is not so much to contribute something to his memory as to console his many friends, and to render our dear deceased a last tribute of attachment, that I transmit you this short biographical notice of Father Poilvache, who is at present mourned not only by the Catholic Congregation of Monroe, but by all Catholics of Michigan. Francis Poilvache was born May 12, 1812, in the village of Eben-Emael, in the Diocese of Liege, in Belgium. His estimable parents are still living. They are in easy circumstances, and enjoy in their country a great reputation for vir¬ tue and probity. Young Francis commenced early in life his studies at the Royal College of Liege, and completed them under the guidance of pious and learned masters in the petit semi- naire at Li6ge, established in the ancient Abbey of Rolduc. It was in this happy asylum of vir¬ tue and piety that his vocation to the religious state, as well as mine, was formed and matured, and on the 9th of September, 1834, he entered as novice the Redemptorist Convent at Saint Trond. He was then twenty-two years of age. 246 Appcndix.

The year of his novitiate being finished, he was admitted to the religious profession of the per¬ petual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. As he had been in the world a model of regu¬ larity, he was in religion a constant example of a true religious. His ill-health, which did not permit him to apply his mind, delayed for some years his theological studies, and he was not or¬ dained priest until July 3, 1842. From that time he exercised the holy ministry in Belgium with a zeal and devotedness that caused his departure to be deeply regretted. He had for a long time ardently desired to go to America. His zeal and his charity kept his mind constantly turned to these distant regions, and particularly after he had heard that beyond the ocean, in a remote corner of America, in Michigan, there was a certain number of poor Catholics, speaking the language of his countr}^, who, on account of the scarcity of priests, were deprived of the consolations of religion. Con¬ tinually haunted by this thought, he solicited for two years the permission of his superiors to de¬ vote himself to the salvation of these abandoned souls. His generous offer, so long tried, was Appendix, 247 finally accepted ; and three hours after having received the news he was on his way to America. After a voyage of thirty days he landed on the hospitable shores of America, which became his new country and his grave. He was at first sent to Rochester, where he was charged with the care of a French and German Congregation ; some rnonths afterwards he received orders to go to Michigan, which was to be the theatre of his zeal and the place of his repose. It was there he worked for nearly four years with a zeal and a devotion truly worthy of an* apostle of Jesus Christ, and which rendered his name dear to all who knew him. His courage never wavered, his zeal never relaxed, when he was called to any place to exercise his ministry. How often, when sick himself, did he not leave his bed at night to carry to others the consolations of religion, frequently travelling great distances, fearing not to expose himself to the scorching sun of summer or to the cold winds of winter! The children, th6 poor, the afflicted, the sick, all experienced the effects of his constant charity. His zeal and devotedness were not confined to the limits of Monroe. Oh! how many evangelized and fer- 248 Appeiidix. vent parishes are indebted to him, after God, for the happy change of which Michigan is to-day the witness. How many families, how many indivi¬ duals, owe to him the peace and serenity that they enjoy since their return to religion ! It was above all in our great missions that Father Poil- vache knew how to manifest the resources of his apostolic zeal, and the unalterable sweet¬ ness of his character enabled him to subdue the most obdurate hearts. It was then that, en¬ tirely forgetful of himself, he appeared no longer the weak and suffering man, but the indefati¬ gable apostle, whose only hunger and thirst was the salvation of souls. On these occasions he knew how to throw off, as it were, his habitual infirmities, in order to clothe himself alone with the strength of Jesus Christ. Such, in a few words, was the public life of Father Poilvache. God alone was witness of the many acts of in¬ terior virtue which were practised by this man of God and true religious. So many arduous- labors could not fail to destroy a constitution which had always been weak and failing, particularly from the time he had charge of the French Congregations. For a Appendix. 249 long while Father Francis had felt his strength sensibly diminishing, and was not deceived with regard to his approaching death; much less did he fear it. His last words, on my parting with him on the 14th of November last, and to which I did not then pay attention, have proved but too true. ‘‘ Adieu,” he said to me ; “ in four months I will no longer be of this world.” Father Francis was the first priest of the Con¬ gregation of the Most Holy Redeemer who died in America. Without doubt he has gone to a better world to receive the reward of his labors and sacrifices. He left to his brothers in re¬ ligion, as an inheritance and consolation, the remembrance of his virtues and example ; to his parents, who are still ignorant of their loss, the consolation of having given an apostle to Michi¬ gan ; to his friends, to the Congregation of Mon¬ roe, and to the French of Michigan, the lessons of salvation that he never failed to teach them, both by word and example. Such will be the most lasting and most glori¬ ous monument that can be raised to the memory of this apostolic man; and the pious remem¬ brance of Father Francis, engraven in the hearts 250 Appendix.

of the French Canadians, will be the living epitaph that time will not efface.

Father Louis Gillet.

H.

Mission at Heike^t {Page in).

There is a heath in Holland remarkable for its position, for the character of its inhabitants, and the events of which it has been the theatre. It is the litde heath of Heiken, situated between the marquisate of .Berg-op-Zoom and the barony of Breda. As it was in evil repute for many years, on account of the highwaymen and .thieves that it secreted in its caves, neither of the two lords of these districts recognized it as part of his domain. The French, having become masters of the Netherlands, tried in vain to conquer this half-savage people. Napoleon him¬ self could effect nothing in the change of its morals by having the most guilty leaders exe¬ cuted without mercy. Only twenty years ago (1845) the. authorities sent thither a military body to inspire terror, with orders to inflict sum- Appendix, 251

mary punishment on the most guilty. It was an uncommon thing for one of them to die in his bed; they ended their days either on the scaffold or in chains, or they killed one another in riots. Such was the condition of this fero¬ cious people until 1830. The troops that were encamped in the vicinity only rendered the heath the more notorious for its houses of de¬ bauchery, nightly dances, and bloody conflicts, to which they abandoned themselves with impu¬ nity. This vicious people, so prone to evil, preserved in their hearts a faith that was truly astonishing. All baptized and Catholics, it seemed that their isolated condition was the principal cause of their ignorance and demorali¬ zation. The pious bishop in partibus, Mgr. J. Van Hooydonck, administrator of the vicariate of' % Breda, bewailed this state of affairs, and sought means to remedy it. After having overcome many difficulties, he had a church built there in 1840, which was dedicated to Saint Willibrord. whose name the village now bears. At the side of the church a residence was built for the pastor, and a house for the religious charged with the education of young girls. An exemplary 25:2 Appendix.

priest, M. Koes, whose zeal is sufficiently- known, offered himself to take charge of this flock, deprived of a shepherd. Thus was the new parish formed, that reckons to day 425 communicants. The government, on its part, full of admiration for this beautiful work, second¬ ed the efforts of the bishop, and supported at its expense a Catholic school-teacher. But this was not sufficient. It was necessary to supply these poor people with work to raise them to the rank of honest citizens ; for this purpose an association of wealthy and pious men was formed, who assumed the responsibility of giv¬ ing them employment and of assisting them in their work. Religion alone could accomplish the civiliza¬ tion of these poor people. The good cure left nothing untried to instruct them in their duties# and to reform their morals. After some time, finding that his zeal met with little success, he thought of calling on the missionaries to assist him in finishing his work. The mission was consequently asked for, and was opened on the 8th of February (1845) by Father Bernard, ac¬ companied by Father Janson. It is impossible Appendix, 253 to describe the joy of these people, their desire to hear the Word of God, and the eagerness with which they embraced the exercises of piety authorized by the Church. The Way of the Cross, the beads, the scapular, all had a singular attraction for these hearts, un¬ til then so hard and insensible. All without exception approached the Sacrament of Pen¬ ance ; and there was not a family, even of the saddest celebrity in the judiciary annals, that did not attend the mission. One per¬ son alone resisted to the end, notwithstanding the exhortations of his friends, and even of the missionaries, who called to see him. The honor of this conquest was reserved to Mary. In the farewell sermon, when the audience was moved to tears, the preacher expressed bitter regret at not having been able to recall this strayed sheep to the fold; he then re¬ commended him to Mary, and requested the audience to pray for him. The next day he too joined the faithful flock. The last day of the mission Mgr. Van Hooy- donck, accompanied by his worthy secretary, was received by these good people with demonstra- 254 Appendix. tions of the most lively joy and the most sincere gratitude. After a touching address he adminis¬ tered the Sacrament of Confirmation to the chil¬ dren of both sexes and to several adults. Solemn High Mass was celebrated on the following day for the deceased of the parish, and the missionaries carried to the sick the consolations of religion. Thus was terminated this interesting mission, which so forcibly recalls to our minds the one given by Saint Alphonsus de Liguori to the herdsmen, or to the inhabitants of Calabria. It was everywhere applauded ; and there is every reason to hope that, by the solicitude of the pious prelate and the zeal of the good cur6, the fruits will be lasting. An association for the extirpa¬ tion of blasphemy, in which all the men were en¬ rolled, was solemnly established; also a Sunday- school for boys and girls, and a society in honor of Saint Aloysius de Gonzaga. With such means of perseverance, who would not nourish the sweetest hopes for the prosperity of the new parish of Saint Willibrord, both in a civil as well as in a religious respect? But, above all, who can fail to admire here the divinity of a religion which effected in so short a time what human Appendix, 255 power and the rigor of the laws had not been able to accomplish ? *

I.

A Few Observations Relative to the Work of the Missions.

Saint Alphonsus ranks among the most signal benefits of Divine Providence that of having willed to institute in a depraved age the effica¬ cious means of missions for the salvation of souls. “ Missions,”*says the great doctor, “are the support of the Church; the principal, if not the only, means to preserve the faith, and to establish it solidly on the rock which is Jesus Christ.” Experience confirms these words of Saint Al¬ phonsus. The wonderful success that his chil¬ dren have obtained by the work of the missions proves the truth of the remark. But this success must be attributed, after the grace of God, to the method adopted by the Recf^mptorists in their missions—a method bequeathed to them

* Taken from the Journal Historique de M. Kersten, vol. xii. page 19. 256 Appendix. by their holy founder. We will examine the exercises in detail. I. Sermons.—The powerful effect of the mission sermons on the audience is principally owing to the subjects of which the missionaries treat. Missions having for their object the conversion of souls, and the common people forming the great majority of the hearers, both in cities and in the country, the Redemptorists do not treat on these occasions of purely speculative matters. They instruct the people in the principal points of Catholic belief—the end of man, the immor¬ tality of the soul, the torments of hell, the Church, its authority, its priesthood, its sacra¬ ments, and particularly those of penance and. the Eucharist. These subjects are adapted to the capacity of all, and always have a practical end in view. The greater part of the sermons have for their object the reformation of morals, the commandments of God and of the Church, sin, the passions^ the occasions of sin, and the means of sanctification. The sermons thus comprise a collection of truths which make a decided impression on souls, and gain them to Jesus Christ. First in order Appe7idix, 257 are the great truths of faith—the last end of man, sin, death, judgment, and hell—truths so well calculated to arouse the indifferent. Resting on this foundation, which they never abandon, and which they continually recall to the minds of their hearers, they attack the passions, the abuses that prevail in the locality where the mission is given, such as blasphemy, intemperance, in¬ justice, impurity, profanation of Sundays and holydays, immoral reading, bad company, im¬ proper amusements, human respect, etc., etc. Then follow the general and particular duties of the Christian life. The last days of the mission are devoted to the means of sanctification, as prayer, frequentation of the sacraments, devo¬ tion to the Blessed Virgin—in a word, to all those practices 'suitable to form souls to piety and to preserve them in virtue. Not satisfied with adapting their sermons to the wants of the people in general, the Re- demptorists give instructions to the particular classes. They give instructions to the married men and women, to the young men and young women, to parents—for they never fail to treat of the important question of the family, as 258 Appendix, the education of children, etc.—and also to masters and servants. The fathers also give particular instructions to the children, who can¬ not follow with fruit the general exercises of the missions. This method, which places the fathers in a most intimate relation with the en¬ tire peopfe, serves to make them more popular. The people are delighted at seeing them so solici¬ tous about their welfare; but the great effect of this method consists in causing the truths of faith and the moral law to penetrate deeper into souls and to ensure the success of - the mission. The Redemptorists adopt a simple style in their ser¬ mons. Like their holy founder, they desire that their discourses be understood by their hearers. It is precisely this simplicity which pleases the people, and attracts them to the mission ser¬ mons ; they are delighted with a language which they understand, and which makes the truth clear to them. Are we not, like the apostles, debtors to all? Do not the common people form the great majority in the cities as well as in the country ? Are the higher classes of so¬ ciety more enlightened in religion ? Does not experience daily prove that lofty speculations Appendix. 259 and polished sermons are unintelligible to the greater part even of those persons whom one is pleased to call the intelligent class, but to which ought to be applied these words : Homo animalis qui non inteliigit quce Dei sunt ? Such sermons leave them in their religious indifference, while popular sermons, the merit of which lies in their solidity and clearness, in their noble sim¬ plicity of style, and in that ardent zeal which springs from the love of souls, convert them, provided they be of good-will. II. Prayer.—Prayer recited aloud by the whole congregation in the church and during processions is a distinctive mark of the Redemp- torist missions. “ Prayer is the great weapon of salvation,” says Saint Alphonsus; serrnons are fruitless to a soul that does not pray.” In mis¬ sions given by the Redemptorist fathers the people are forced, as it were, to pray, in spite of themselves; even the men join in this public prayer. After the mission the custom of praying privately and in common, at their homes or in the church, is preserved. We could relate many instances where family prayers were unknown in parishes before the mission, but were found in 26o Appendix.

practice many years after the mission had been given. In many parishes the cures did not at¬ tempt to have prayers said aloud in church, or, if it was attempted, the voices of the children alone were heard ; but after the mission the people willingly prayed aloud with the priest. The beads are usually recited by the fathers before the sermon and during the processions; for is not Mary the channel of all graces? In many parishes the recitation of the beads in public or in private has become a custom since the mission. III. Chant and Ceremonies.—The singing of hymns by the people, and the ceremonies, are important features in missions given by the Redemptorist Fathers, and render them truly popular. Every evening, before the sermon and during the procession, the people sing hymns. The principal ceremonies are: The act of atonement made to Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament in reparation for sin ; the consecration to the Blessed Virgin after the sermon on the goodness and power of Mary—a sermon which Saint Al- phonsus.made of precept, and to which is justly A ppeudix. 261

attributed a particular efficacy for the conversion of souls ; the procession, and the erection of the cross ; the solemn exercise of the Way of the Cross ; the blessing of the children ; the renewal of baptismal vows ; the public reception of the scapular ; the solemn blessing of beads and other pious objects; the blessing of fields ; and, lastly, the Papal Benediction, given after the closing sermon. These ceremonies are conducted with all possible solemnity, especially the act of atone¬ ment, the consecration to the Blessed Virgin, and the Papal Benediction, which are always ac¬ companied by a magnificent illumination. During these ceremonies the altars are beautifully de¬ corated ; the wax candles which are used are supplied at the expense of the congregation. Why all these ceremonies ? some may ask ; we see in them only a grand spectacle. Be it so; but are they not necessary for the people, who would otherwise have recourse to corrupt, worldly de¬ monstrations ? It is necessary for truth to speak through the senses in order to reach the soul. The ceremonies are nothing else than the great truths made visible ; the Church adapts herself to the needs of human nature. Whatever may 262 A ppendix. be siiid against the singing and the ceremonies on the missions, facts prove their utility ; for it 'is public prayer, the singing of hymns, and the ceremonies that give life to the Redemptorist missions, because all these answer to the wants of the people, who thus take an active part in the exercises of the mission. On these occasions the people throng the church and leave it filled with compunction and piety, being always resolved to return to hear the missionaries. Many souls, who had remained insensible to the preaching of the Word of God, formed the resolution to change their life at witnessing one or the other of the ceremonies of the mission. Often the act of reparation, the procession of the cross, or the consecration to the Blessed Virgin ensured the success of the mission, until then doubtful. Public prayer, the singing of hymns, and the ceremonies have* the not less important result of overcoming human respect. Those men who have prayed and sung aloud in the church and in the streets of their parish, often in the presence of a crowd of strangers who have come from the neighboring parishes; those men who have re¬ ceived publicly the scapular; those young men Appendix, 263 who have carried the cross in the procession, fear not after the mission to profess themselves Christians, and to take an active part in the works and the demonstrations of other Cath¬ olics. These results are too apparent to deserve further comment. We know distinguished pre¬ lates, to whom the ceremonies, etc., appeared too vulgar, tending only to excite the imagination, who have acknowledged their happy results, and recommended them especially to those parishes most difficult to be reformed. If the tree is known by its fruit, this sufficiently proves the worth of the method followed by the Redemp- torists, considering the great number of missions they have given since their arrival in Belgium, and the blessings which God has unceasingly bestowed upon them. For forty years the Redemptorists have in¬ cessantly labored in Belgium; and though-the fathers of eight houses are still occupied in every diocese of the country, still their number and their incessant activity are insufficient to answer the demands made upon their zeal by the confidence of the bishops and the clergy. Does 264 Appendix.

not this confidence of the pastors of souls, who can truly appreciate the results of missions, prove the utility of the method adopted by the mis¬ sionaries? Bishops and priests unhesitatingly assert that God blesses their labors in a mar¬ vellous manner. It is unnecessary to mention here the fruits generally produced by these missions: the many stained consciences cleansed, the many sacrile¬ gious confessions repaired, the many abuses abol¬ ished. Suffice it to consider, in the first place, the many returns of persons who had abandoned the practice of their religious duties ; and, in the second place, the reviving of the spirit of piety in souls. The more frequent reception of the sacraments, the increase of the spirit of prayer and devotion to the Blessed Virgin, are blessings which must in a great measure be attributed-to the Redemptorist missions. The associations formed or re-established by the fathers, when¬ ever circumstances permit, have contributed not a little to revive the spirit of piety. It is true that these fruits are not always lasting ; for, apart from those who persevere, there are always some, particularly among the Appeyidix, 265

young men, who relapse into their disorders. But who is ignorant of the inconstancy of hu¬ man nature and the numberless inventions of the powers of evil ? In order to prevent these relapses, Saint Alphonsus established a practice peculiar to the Redemptorists—that of the re¬ newal given a few months after each mission. These renewals complete the extirpation of abuses, and often result in the conversion of those who rejected the grace of the mission. One of the most zealous of the^ prelates whom Belgium honors, Mgr. Van Bommel, Bishop of Liege, has declared he could easily distinguish those parishes which had received the blessings of a mission from those that had been deprived of such aid. He extolled the ceremony of the erection of the cross as an efficacious means to engrave upon hearts the remembrance of the mission. His lordship, on arriving in a parish, knelt with the people at the foot of the mission cross, in order to gain the indulgences attached to it. Without doubt, after the expiration of a cer¬ tain time, it becomes necessary to repeat the exercises of the mission; for, besides other 266 Appendix.

general causes, drawn from our nature and thjs influence of the spirit of evil, another genera¬ tion will have grown up. For this reason the bishops—and among others his Grace the Arch¬ bishop of Mechlin—have prescribed in their diocesan statutes that the exercises of a mis¬ sion be given in each parish every seventh or eighth year.

j.

Oj'atio ad Matreni Divini Past or is, utiliter du

• cenda a Patribus in Visitatione Beatissimce Virginis, Tempore Missionis.

Salve, O Mater divini Pastoris, post Jesum spes mea et salus mea! Sine, obsecro, ut ad pedes tuos pusillum requiescam de labore meo, ac pro me et populo tuo isto novas ac magnas a te gratias implorem. Credo Jesum Christum, Filium tuum, Pastorem esse istarum ovium, pro quibus non dubitavit effundere sanguinem suum, et crucis subire tor- mentum. Credo etiam pretium hujus sanguinis in te fuisse collatum, ac neminem perire ad Appendix. 267

quern benigna respicere dignaris. Audio enim S. Bernardum mild dicentem, nunquam auditum esse a saeculo, quod aliquis, tuam implorans misericordiam, a te sit derelictus. Audio S. Alphonsum mihi clamantem, quod nemo salvus fiat, quern tu, O Mater ! non protexeris. Accipe ergo preces supplices, quas tibi pro me et populo isto in hac hora tibi offero. Si inveni gratiam coram oculis tuis, salva me et populum istum, pro quo tibi obsecro. Tui sunt, sed mihi eos dedisti. Tui sunt, nam illos diligis, ut^ mater amorosa filios suos. Proprio Filio tuo non parcens, ilium pro illorum salute in mortem tradidisti. Sed mihi eos dedisti, ut per verbum ministerii nostri convertantur, ac vere conversi te tuumque Filium diligant ac in aeternum laudent. Benedic ergo, O pia Mater ! benedic, O tu Refugium peccatorum, et post Jesum, unica illorum Spes! oves perditas hujus parochiae N-. Quantumvis diu longeque a te erraverint, reduc pietosa manu tua omnes ad pedes nostros. Nemo, quaeso, damnandus ex hac missione discedat; sed omnes in his diebus misericorditer ad pascua Jesu, dilecti Filii tui, revertantur. Da illis evidens signum 268 Appendix, misericordiae tuae, fontes lacrymarum jugiter manantes, cor contritum ac docile. Respice etiam super nos, famulos tuos, quibus Jesus Filius tuus dedit ministerium reconcilia- tionis; consolare nos jucundo vultu tuo inter tot labores quos pro gloria Filii tui hisce diebus suscepimus; ac robora animum nostrum, ne zelus noster tepescat, sed magis semper ardeat. Custodi cor et sensus nostros, ne, nimio laborum pondere oppressi, nobismetipsos nos denege- mus, ac, neglecta propria salute, tandem rep- robi fiamus. Permaneat unusquisque nostrum in proposito cordis sui. Mente revolvat ac opere exequatur quidquid initio hujus mis- sionis sibi statuerit. Agat negotium profectus sui, instet in meditatione, et precibus jacula- toriis iisque fervidis se cum Deo uniat. Omni custodia servet cor suum, ac pactum ineat cum oculis, ne cogitet quidem de virgine. Immacu- latum se custodiat ab omni contagione mundi. Sic plenus mentis, et tibi tuoque Filio dilecto charior efifectus, ad suos revertetur, et sibi in Domino gaudere licebit, quod et haec missio in coelis est adscripta et copiosam illi mercedem praeparavit. Amen. • Appendix, 269

K.

Account of Father Bernard's Third Voyage to America^ given in a Letter from Rev, Father Bold to the Father Rector of the Corivent at

Wittem {page 124).

In Chapter XL of this little work I have briefly related the third voyage of Father Ber¬ nard to America (January 27 to March 19, 1851). On this-voyage he had with him a number of his confreres. These were: Father De Landtsheer, of the Diocese of Ghent ; Fathers Hecker, Wal¬ worth, Kittel, and Bold, together with the stu¬ dents Henry Hellemans, of the Diocese of Mech¬ lin, Henry Giesen, of Aix-la-Chapelle, Michael Muller, and Joseph Wirth. Before proceeding to the account of the voy¬ age I propose giving a short sketch of the two Belgians who have already gone to their re¬ ward. Charles Louis de Landtsheer was born in the village of Calken (East Flanders), Belgium, De¬ cember 21, 1812. 270 Appendix. •

Having completed his preparatory studies, he entered the Seminary of Ghent in 1835, and dis¬ tinguished himself by his great progress in philo¬ sophy and theology. He was ordained priest May 25, 1839, appointed vicar, first of Strypen, afterwards of Melsele, in 1841. “An ardent zeal for the glory of God, great charity towards his neighbor, and a holy severity to¬ wards himself, made of him an exemplary priest according to the heart of God ” (Obituary No¬ tice). He had spent twelve years in the exer¬ cise of the holy ministry in his own country, ♦ when, feeling himself called to labor on foreign missions, he earnestly begged leave of Mgr. Delbecque to enter the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The bishop was not dis¬ posed to grant his request, but yielded at length to his repeated solicitations. Accordingly, he en¬ tered the Redemptorist Convent at Saint Trond, where he received the habit of the order, Octo¬ ber 15, 1850, Feast of Saint Teresa. He left Eu¬ rope in January, 185*1, and landed at New York on the Feast of Saint Joseph of the same year (March 19). Having completed his novitiate, he pronounced his vows, October 15, 1851. He Appendix. 271 was sent to New York during Lent of the fol¬ lowing year to assist the fathers, several of whom were very ill at that time, whilst the others were overladen with work of the most arduous nature, on account of the plague that had just broken out. The spiritual care of the emigrants was allotted to him, and he devoted himself exclu¬ sively to their welfare. But Father de Landt- sheer was soon to fall a victim to his charity. During the illness of Father Cubin he could not resist the impulse of his zeal to visit the plague- stricken in the hospitals, notwithstanding the earnest remonstrances of his confreres and the inclemency of the weather. But he would listen only to the voice of charity. Although he re¬ mained without nourishment all of that day—for, with the exception of a small crust of bread and a little wine, he had tasted nothing—he visited a great many persons afflicted with typhoid fever. He was attacked by the fever on the following Sunday, after High Mass, and war obliged to take to his bed. This happened on the Feast of Saint Joseph, the first anniversary of his arrival in America. At first neither his confreres nor the physician apprehended any danger, because he 2J2 A ppendix.

had suffered from the same disease when yet a secular priest. God had other ends in view. After an illness of ten days his disease assumed alarming symptoms. Having been fortified with the last sacraments, he peacefully surrendered his soul to its Maker, April 2, Feast of the Do¬ lors of the Blessed Mother of God. He re¬ mained perfectly conscious up to his last mo¬ ment, and kept his eyes steadily fixed on the image of the crucified Redeemer and the picture of the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary. The fathers and lay brothers of the community stood around his bed of death, and gave vent to their grief in sobs and sighs. The repeated visitation of death in their little community increased their sorrow. Within nine months four of their number had been snatched away. The deceased was in all respects an exemplary religious and a holy priest filled with truly apos¬ tolic zeal, which endeared him not only to his confreres, but also to all those who had been the objects of his charitable ministry. The obsequies took place on Palm Sunday (1852). His body was placed next to those of his brothers in religion who had preceded him Appendix. 273 into paradise, where, we doubt not, he is enjoy¬ ing the blissful society of his Divine Redeemer, whom on earth he had loved so tenderly and served so ' faithfully, together with that of the Blessed Virgin Mary and his holy father Al- phonsus. Henry Hellemans was born in the village of Wavre Ste. Catherine, not far from Malines, June 23, 1823 (July 16, 1823). Having partly completed his studies at the petit seminaire of Malines, he entered the Con¬ gregation of the Most Holy Redeemer at Saint Trond, and made his religious profession one year later. The American missions had always been the object of his dearest desires. Being yet a student at Wittem, permission was granted him by his superiors to devote himself to the apostolic labors in the United States. He came to America with Father Bernard in 1851, and completed his studies in Cumberland a^id Rochester. Bishop Neumann raised him to the dignity of the priesthood in Philadelphia, on Holy Saturday (March 26, 1853). Considered as a novice, student, or priest. 274 Appendi'x.

Henry Hellemans was at all times a roodel reli¬ gious. He excelled in the spirit of prayer and in a remarkable love of holy purity. God seems to have taken this young priest out of a sinful world in order that the lustre of his virtues might not be dimmed by its malice, nor his im¬ maculate purity suffer the least stain. His spiri¬ tual director said of him: “ He was a youth of angelic purity.” His constant walking in the presence of God enabled him to discern the goodness and wisdom of Providence, even in the brute creation. He practised true humility, but the thought never entered his mind that he really possessed this virtue. For when he was seen exercising himself in humility by perform¬ ing menial offices, he remarked, with great in¬ genuousness, that it was a very useful exercise to supply the want of the virtue of humility by acts of humility. He was for a short time attached to Saint Michael’s church in Baltimore. Whenever he performed the Way of the Cross with the peo¬ ple, it was his custom to give a short explana¬ tion of the devotion before reciting the usual prayers, during which his emotion often inter- Appendix. 275 rupted his words, and tears of devotion always accompanied his remarks. Owing to constant ill-health, he was unable to write his sermons. This also prevented him from acquiring a tho¬ rough knowledge of the German language. His sermons, however, delivered with the utmost simplicity, produced astonishing effects. In the pulpit he appeared filled with the Spirit of God. Sometimes he would stop short in the middle of a sentence, not being able to find the proper words to complete it. On such occasions he was not at a loss, but simply remarked : Nicht wahr^ ihr wisst schon was ich sagen zvill? ” (You well know what I wish to say, do you not ?); and it is surprising to learn that his hearers under¬ stood him full well. It was said above that he was constantly indisposed. His malady assumed the form of pulmonary consumption, and his body at last succumbed to the weight of infirmities. On the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (November 21, 1854), whom he had loved with an especial love, and by whom he seemed to be specially favored, he presented his pure soul to God, through the hands of his Blessed Mother, 2/6 Appendix,

This young priest, possessed of a zealous and generous soul, gave promise of becoming a use¬ ful and prominent laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. But he was pleased to deprive the congregation of a dutiful son by an untimely death.* The following account is taken from a letter written by Rev. Father Bold. I have taken the liberty of somewhat modifying and abridging it. To the letter is annexed an edifying postscript written by Father Bernard. This will serve to complete the portrait of the generous soul whose life has been described. Another powerful mo¬ tive which induced me to insert the letter and postscript was the fact of their being too inti¬ mately connected with the history of Saint Al- phonsLis’ Congregation not to be published.

New York, March 22, 1851. Very Reverend Father Rector and VERY DEAR BROTHERS: Thanks for the fer-

* For the above brief but edifying sketches we are indebted to the kindness of the Chronicler of the American Province of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, to whom we desire in this place to tender our sincere thanks.—Transl. Appendix, 277

vent prayers you addressed to heaven in our behalf! This should form the first sentence of my letter, because it is the first sentiment of my heart in writing to you. Gloria Patri! After having been at sea for fifty-two days, we arrived in this new country, already dear to us, which has fallen to our lot. Your prayers have not been in vain,; God has heard them, as he hears the prayers of his saints, by giving us num¬ berless occasions to increase the store of our little spiritual treasure, instead of acquiring the perishable goods of this earth. Per miiltas tribn- lationes oportiiit nos intrare in regnum. Let us hope that, in compliance with his merciful de¬ signs on us, we have buried in the depths of the ocean the remnants of the old man. (After relating how the Redemptorist voyagers, on their way through Paris, received some pious souvenirs at the Seminary of Foreign Missions, at Notre Dame des Victoires, etc.. Father Dold continues his narration in these terms :) Notwithstanding the beautiful monuments of all kinds which we admired in the capital of the civilized world, we were anxious to depart as soon as possible. We left the great city of 2/8 Appendix.

Paris on the morning of the 24th of January. We were borne along with remarkable rapidity over a vast‘and fertile country. The forests, val¬ leys, and mountains of Normandy each moment seemed to represent the environs of Wittem. It was now mid-day, and in spirit we united with you in making particular examen. At four o’clock in the afternoon we were informed that we were nearing the city of Rouen. This an¬ cient capital of the Normans is built on a steep rock, which renders it almost inaccessible from every point. At some distance from the city we entered a tunnel, and, when we issued from it, we found to our surprise that we were in the middle of the old city. - Its half-ruined walls, protected by numerous towers, still reveal the antiquity of its origin and the might of its an¬ cient lords. At present Rouen is the centre of a great commercial trade in cotton and yarn. On leaving the city a heavy fog covered the valleys and mountains, which latter always grew higher as we proceeded. Twilight now came on, and seem¬ ed to invite us to close our bodily eyes, and to open those of the soul to the light from on high. The time of meditation had come, and lasted Appendix. 279 until seven o’clock, if not without distraction, at least without anything remarkable occurring. Towards seven o’clock in the evening we arrived at Havre. After a hot dispute between two coach¬ men, who wished to prove the possibility of the impossible by wishing to have all of us in their carriage at the same time, we were trought to the Hotel d’Allemagne, which had been recommend¬ ed to us in Paris. But there was not even room enough to accommodate six persons for the night. We were therefore obliged to get into our carriages, and, after having been taken almost through the whole city in search of a suitable lodging, at last found accommodations at the Hotel des Indes. It was long after nine o’clock before we were seated at table. Our appetites were voracious, for we had tasted nothing since ten in the morning; but, thank God, nothing more was wanting! Next day being Sunday, the worthy dean of Notre Dame allowed us to offer the Holy Sacrifice in his church. It was the last time we enjoyed this happiness in Europe. Father De Landtsheer had even the honor of singing the parochial Mass. I have often heard people speak of the devotion of 28o Appendix,

Frenchmen and sailors; in this most frequented port of France we have had occasion to con¬ vince ourselves of the truth of the remark. I can testify that nowhere have I met with a piety, I will not say more modest or more recol¬ lected, but certainly more general, frank, and % sincere, than in this city. Heaven seemed to declare in our favor ; for the wind was all that could be desired, and presaged a happy departure on the next day. We re¬ turned to our hotel at about five o’clock to com¬ plete our final preparations. The confidence ex¬ pressed at Wittem by good Henry Giesen, that he would not be attacked with sea-sickness, be¬ came a firm conviction with him in Paris; but at Havre it was changed into a simple hope. Henry Hellemans did not consider himself less invin¬ cible ; he could not conceive how the sea could possibly inconvenience him. We will see, later on, how these inconceivable ideas were realized. After supper we had to repair to the vessel to pass the night; but before leaving the hotel Father Bernard assembled us for the last time, and, with that firmness so well known to you, he said in a decided and penetrating tone : “ My Appendix. 281 brothers, we are now going to embark. There is still time. You are free to-day ; to-morrow you will be so no longer. Make your choice, speak candidly; the moment is decisive, and your de¬ cision will be irrevocable.” The event proved that this last trial of our vocation was to be its most striking proof. May our Lord Jesus Christ be for ever blessed for it, and also the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of us all, the hope and the consolation of all true sons of Saint Alphonsus! It was eight o’clock at night when we arrived at the place where the Helvetia^ that was to carry us to America, was anchored. We went aboard carrying our valises, in the midst of fright¬ ful darkness, and rain which poured down in tor¬ rents. At every step we were exposed to the danger of falling into the sea. I could not help thinking of that narrow and ice-covered plank which Saint Francis de Sales was daily obliged to cross to go to Chablais. This was the glorious commencement of that “perfect joy”'of which you spoke at Wittem before our setting out. When we arrived the captain was absent. An insolent, uncivilized negro did all in his power to 282 Appendix. prevent us from passing the night on board the vessel, and wished to oblige us to return to the hotel, although the night was far advanced and the weather very inclement. At this juncture the boatswain came up, and put an end to the ar¬ rogance of the lazy negro, who did not wish to give himself the trouble to prepare our cabins. After some delay the cabins were assigned to us ; in each there were two berths, one above the other. On the first night the boards of my berth suddenly gave way, and I fell upon my dear “ teacher,”* who was lying in the lower berth. The next morning we were awakened before sunrise by the noisy sailors, who were running about on deck; and- the voices of some women and fhe cries of children soon informed us that we were not the only persons on board. There were no less than one hundred and thirty emi¬ grants huddled together in the steerage. The greater part of them were Alsatians, natives of Baden or Swabia, all Protestants, and some Swiss Catholics; who, tired of the heavy yoke resting on their unhappy country, went to seek in the New World what one of them most feelingly

* By “-teacher” Father Dold refers to Father Bernard.—Tr. Appendix, 283

called die freiste Freiheit—the most freedom. Besides this motley collection of wretched people, most of whom had lost' all sense of shame and self-respect, we also had the horror of being in the company of several of Garibaldi’s partisans. They probably intended to execute in a land more adapted to their purposes the black de¬ signs which they had been unable to carry out in Rome. We must, however, admit that their very appearance struck terror into our hearts; their hideous countenances bespoke the blackness of their souls. During the voyage they had the boldness to attack with their knives some French¬ men, who were also steerage passengers; but each time the Garibaldians fell victims to their audacity. We saw two of their number' seri¬ ously wounded. In the second class there were only two French families, and two artists from Lombardy, on their way to California to seek their fortunes. The head of one of the families was a professor from Auvergne, who wished to obtain a situation in New York. The other appeared to be either an emerited French gendarme or a member of some sect. He was a type of a Frenchman : short and 284 Appcndix.

plump, well dressed, as touchy as gunpowder, and wore a huge mustache. He appeared to be a man of about forty years of age. He was witty, but lacked judgment; he spoke of everything without knowing anything, and appeared to know everything, whilst it was evident to all that he knew nothing. It might be said that his ex¬ perience consisted in turning from north to south, and from south to north, like a weather¬ cock. Being wealthy, he thought of going to California, or even to China, to play double or quits. But just at this time he happened to be on his way to New York; and when he arrives in America, he will probably reflect whether it had been expedient for him to leave Europe. Our little company occupied the first-class cabin, thanks to the solicitude of Father Ber¬ nard, who profited of a reduction of twenty-five francs for every missionary to America. There were only two other persons in the first-class, one as singular as the other. One of them was a young American of incredible levit}^ who had spent several months in Paris to learn dancing. As he could speak only on trivial subjects, he was soon constrained to seek elsewhere for per- Appendix. 285 sons, more refined than ourselves, ready to listen to his silly prattle. The other, more whimsical still, was a female of sallow complexion, brazen¬ faced, and exceedingly playful and noisy in her manners. She was one of Abraham’s daughters, and had been married in New York. The pass¬ port of Mad.-was altogether incorrect, and it was said that she had not even paid for her cabin. She was elegantly dressed, and might have been taken for a Lola Montez had she possessed but a particle of judgment. It is needless to inform you that this sort of society / could have been anything but agreeable to us. By some good chance we shortly got rid of her molestations.. Our happy ignorance of American etiquette, joined to a want of sympathy for a Jewess of this description, so completely discon¬ certed her that she resolved to shut herself up in her cabin. After this she appeared in the din¬ ing-saloon only on Sundays, and even then she was obliged to sit opposite Father Bernard, and meet his piercing look. We were at length left to ourselves in our floating convent. This was one of the few consolations of our tedious voyage. 286 Appendix.

If to these passengers you add thirty sailors of all nationalities; two negro cooks; a boat¬ swain, a former companion of Father Walworth ; a captain, thirty-three years of age, who had crossed all the known seas eighteen times; dog Jack, who soon became Father Kittel’s favo¬ rite; four rams, two sheep, a dozen turkeys, and twice as many ducks and chickens, you will have the complete number of living beings on board the Helvetia when it set sail for New York on Monday, January 27, 1851. It was six o’clock in the morning when we left the harbor under the patronage of our dearest Mother Mary. The weather was most beau¬ tiful and the wind favorable. The Channel was sufficiently agitated to rock our vessel in such a way as to displace the contents of the stomachs of people not accustomed to this kind of sport. We had been at sea scarcely half an hour when the p^issengers, who had been attract¬ ed to the deck to witness the rising of the sun, disappeared one after another. Sea-sickness ,was now commencing to attack the voyagers, and many were seen running about, paying their tri¬ bute to Neptune from every available spot. Our A ppendix. 2(S7 little Frenchman was excusable, at least this time, for having acted before reflecting. He took refuge in a staircase, over which he leaned, supporting his head and stomach, whilst some¬ thing differing from words came from beneath his gray mustache. He stared about with a wild look, and his tongue seemed immovable ; in a word, he presented a picture of sore distress, and might have been taken for one of those fabulous beings which serve as water-spouts to Gothic churches. Sea-sickness did not spare us. Fathers Hecker and De Landtsheer and the students were the first to set an example not exactly worthy of imitation. Father Giesen especially was several times seen running to the stern of the vessel, and not without reason ; you remem¬ ber he is the one who thought he was strong enough at least to withstand sea-sickness. He was appointed infirmarian, and, although suffer¬ ing more than the others, he was always on his feet, nursing the sick, watching over those who were still enjoying good health, and at stated times distributed the sweetmeats which he took the precaution to obtain from Father Pilat at Brussels. He performed all of these duties 288 Appetidix.

with a charity and a constancy that greatly edi¬ fied us during the whole voyage. Father Hecker and the students Wirth, Muller, and Hellemans had the most violent attacks, and suffered almost continually for three whole weeks. Our dear Hellemans was the man of systems, and invented a new one every day. One day the comfortable system was his; on the next what he called the aquatic system had the preference. The young man had never been sick, and now, finding him¬ self so ill, thought that he was already fn a new world, even before arriving in America. Michael Muller had a fixed idea of another kind. The irregular motion of the vessel placed him in great perplexity. He remained seated almost all the while, and whenever he was obliged to rise he was sure to make three attempts before suc¬ ceeding. At first he would place both of his hands on the chair, looking about in all di¬ rections, as if to assure himself that the floor was really firm; he would next extend his legs with great precaution, and at length rise very gravely. When once on his feet, he would venture to make a few steps, keeping his arms stretched out to seize hold of the wall nearest Appendix. 289

to him. . . . Father Bernard and myself were not exempt from many little annoyances owing to a situation so foreign to our usual life; but by means of a little less simplicity and great¬ er ingenuity we were able to dissemble our griev¬ ances. The na'ivete of these two fratres on many occasions furnished us with subjects for innocent jokes. With all this we • were continually advanc¬ ing, and at about ten o’clock were on the high- sea. The steamer which had taken us in tow up to this time left us to return to Havre. The sailors, who until then appeared very drowsy, acquired fresh vigor as soon as the management of the vessel was left to them. They unfurled the sails, singing a hymn with which they begin, continue, and end their voy¬ ages. It was heard at all'times, whether prospe¬ rous or adverse, and began with this sublime sen¬ timent : Whiskey is the life of men. A sailor never performs any part of his work without singing, or rather howling in a savage manner, similar to the unearthly yells we used to hear in the environs of Wittem during harvest-time. We were under full sail, and had been making 290 Appendix, rapid progress for more than seven hours, and the sun had just been hid from view by a thin fog, when the captain informed us that we would probably experience a heavy gale on the following night. You may well imagine that this news was not calculated to awaken any particular joy in the hearts of inexperi¬ enced navigators, who hoped, perhaps, like myself, to cross the ocean without encoun¬ tering any storm. Fortunately, the captain proved to be a false prophet. The shades of night enveloped us in their dark mantles, but for most of us it was a sleepless night. A mag¬ nificent sunrise greeted our rising next morning. The fury of the wind, the visible swelling of the sea, the agitated, snow-capped billows, the sky, covered with rapidly-sailing clouds that were reflected in the water, appeared as so many forerunners of the frightful storm we were soon to encounter. It was one o’clock (January 28) when the dark and menacing tem¬ pest suddenly appeared on the horizon ; a dull but constantly increasing noise, that beg¬ gars all description, announced its swift ap¬ proach. The surface of the watery plain be- Appendix. 191

-came as black as ebony, furrowed by long strings of white foam, and seemed to take part in the general mourning of nature. The tempfest burst upon us before we had time to take the necessary precautions. All the sails were still spread ; the captain and sailors were not prepared in the least. But what activity, energy, and intrepidity do not these men, who apparently are in a constant state of insensi¬ bility, exhibit at the moment of a storm ! They throw themselves out of their hammocks, scale the rigging, climb to the tops of the masts, stand on a simple rope at a height of more than sixty feet above the watery abyss, and exposed to all the fury of the tempest, with a hardihood that must terrify any one who watch¬ es their movements. . . . The rain fell in torrents. The low, hollow sound of the sea was changed into a roaring and a thundering far more terrible than the most violent storm on land. The surging billows rose to the height of mountains, and bore along with them to this giddy height our helpless vessel, only to throw it from their summits into deep valleys of water, as if to immerge it in the abyss. True 292 A ppendix. it is that there is nothing more wonderful and sublime than this rising of the sea—Mirabiles el'ationes mavis—but, at the same time, there is nothing more terrific. I can assure you that I could not conceal a sense of terror ; and if I re¬ mained on deck, it was not courage that kept me there, but the fear of going down into my cabin, where all the horrors of darkness were added to the fury of the tempest. In the interior of the vessel the death-like silence was broken only by the roaring of the sea, the awful shocks caused by the rolling of the waves, the cracking of the rudder, masts, and sail-yards. This first toss was not to be the last ; it was simply the pre¬ lude of what awaited us. After four hours of fruitless fury calm was restored, or rather the storm did not rage with, the same violence ; but we had now to combat unceasingly against a furious west wind which was as bad as a storm. We were barely out of danger when the Jewess began to play on her harmonica, and the little Frenchman, like a nightingale after a thunder¬ storm, warbled a joyous melody. German and French airs were heard from all parts of the entrepont, whilst we sang the Laudate Dominiim 'Appendix, 293 and the Ave maris Stella. Such is man. As soon as he thinks himself out of the reach of danger he seems already to have forgotten it, and abandons himself to joy. But by this unchecked gladness his inmost thoughts and hopes are made manifest. The following night was a very tempestuous one ; the tossing and rolling of the ship affected some of us in an unpleasant way. Early in the morning I was attacked by sea-sickness; and during the day all the others who had with¬ stood the first attack underwent the same fate, not even excepting Father Bernard. Father Kittel, who generally promenaded on deck in company with dog Jack to enjoy the sea-breeze, was invincible for a long time. But on the seventh day he too was obliged to surrender. The tacking of the ship became more and more difficult. ' Having been driven back by a strong wind from the southwest, all we could do was to ply to the windward. We had to change sail every moment to avoid being driven upon the coasts of France or England, equally distant from us. * On the 30th, at nine A.M., we found ourselves exactly in the same place as the even- 294 Appendix. ing previous, although we had been sailing all night. At one time the captain thought of re¬ turning to port. This was also the wish of the passengers, who feared, with just reason, that the sailors, exhausted by so much useless labor, would refuse to perform their duty. But he was obstinately bent on pursuing the voyage, and tried to persuade himself that a wind so violent could not be of long duration. He soon had reason to repent of his obstinacy. At six P.M. we were suddenly assailed by another squall. The waves and liL.il fell upon the deck with incredible impetuosity: the sea not only roared, but shrieked and howled. We were still ten miles off the coast of England, but in the twinkling of an eye we were thrown upon it. We were now fluctuating between life and death ; this was clear to every one. The vessel was irresistibly driven towards the famous cape of Beachy Head, the remembrance of which shall never be effaced from my mind. At this place there is only one fathom and a half of water (our vessel required three), and the shore is extremely dangerous on account of the rocks, which are on a level with the water. The Appendix, 295 wind was carrying us directly towards these frightful shoals. We were at table when the captain, hastily passing us, said: “ Eat well! ” Father Walworth caught his meaning. He wished to say: It will, perhaps, be your last meal. At every moment onr situation became more perilous. Fires of distress were lighted on deck, but no answer was returned. The sailors ran about the vessel with dismal torch¬ es, which contrasted greatly with the fright¬ ful darkness; but they were extinguished by the wind almost im.mediately, and left us in the dark. At about nine o’clock we stood around Father Bernard at the foot of the main¬ mast. He told the novices De Landtsheer and Wirth to come to him at the critical moment to pronounce their vows ; and after having exhort¬ ed all of us to resign ourselves entirely to the will of God, under whose protection we were, he told us to seek some repose, promising that he himself would warn us of any danger in due time. In vain did I attempt to obey ; for sleep was unwilling to close my eyes. It seems to me that I never in all my life prayed with so much faith and fervor. Fatigue at length as- 296 Appcndix.

sertecl its right, and after having recommended to my Guardian Angel the plank I might seize hold of in case of shipwreck, I fell asleep in the arms of Providence, whose watchful eye is ever resting on the poor missionary. Oczi/i ejus in patiperem respiciunt. On the following morning, thanks to the pro¬ tection of our good Mother Mary, whom I in¬ voked without ceasing, we were out of danger. The sea was still in a state of violent commo¬ tion, and the wind seemed to subside for some moments, only to begin with redoubled fury. We had lost two sails; the rudder had been damaged considerably, but still the captain per¬ sisted in carrying on the struggle. It was only on the 31st of January, at three P.M., that, finding all resistance useless, he decided to make for the nearest port. The storm had driven us beyond Dover, and at about six.P.M. Ave cast anchor in the Downs, two miles from the little city of Deal, distant some leagues from Canterbury.. More than eighty vessels had also sought shelter there from the storm. You undoubtedly suppose that, after so disastrous a trial of -navigation, we were very glad to be able to take some repose. Appeyidix, 297

We were in sight of the ancient Isle of Saints, to-day a sad kingdom of error. But there, too, we had brothers, and this thought was sufficient to make us bless the hand that had led us to this coast. While awaiting favorable wind Father Bernard went to Clapham to surprise Father de Held and our other confreres with a visit. He accordingly left for London, February

I, at nine A.M., in companywith our young cap¬ tain. In the meantime we were preparing to celebrate a double feast next day—the Feast of the Purification. Before leaving Father Ber¬ nard had made arrangements to procure us the consolation of offering the Holy Sacrifice at Deal. But, unhappily, our desires could not be fulfilled. At ten o’clock the wind became favor¬ able, and only, one hour later w'e saw the nume¬ rous vessels leaving the harbor. We were the only ones yet remaining in the bay, and impa¬ tiently awaited the return of chief tain. He arrived at eleven P.M., with Father Bernard, who had been only as far as London. On February 3, at ten A.M., the anchor was raised, and we went out to sea, not to leave it before our arrival in America. The Helvetia was going along 298 Appendix.

under full sail, favored by an east wind, but only for a short time. It seemed as if heaven desired to give us an occasion of experiencing all the amenities that may be met with on the ocean. After having witnessed the grand spec¬ tacle of a storm at sea, we were also to enjoy all the annoyance .of perfect calm. Scarcely were we out of sight of land when the sea became as smooth as ice. In the evening the last rays of the sun, which was just sinking be¬ hind a blue-tinted cloud bordered with brilliant lines of purple hue, presented to our eyes one of the most enchanting views that the ocean can offer. The luminous globe slowly sank into the glittering waves ; it gilt once more the tops of our masts, and then disappeared. The night was as calm as the day had been; a slight but insufficient breeze continually moved the sails, but was unable to fill them. Early next morning I hurried on deck to contemplate the rising of the sun. I thought of you, my dear brothers, when the dazzling brightness of the east met my expectant gaze; I would have wished you to be with me, in order to behold the wonderful work

/ Appendix, 299 of Him who will one day be our mutual recom¬ pense. In vain would I attempt to convey an idea of this magnificent spectacle. The illumined horizon ; that immense ball of fire, which seems to rise from the bosom of the sea ; those number¬ less, luminous rays that suddenly light up the vast expanse of the heavens ; and, above all, that long train of light reflected in the mirror of the waters, beginning at one extremity of the ocean and ending only at the ship, are so many things which my feeble pen would vainly attempt to describe. The sight of them produces in the soul an impression of grandeur which would sa¬ tiate it, if ever created beauty were able to do it. The shining disc of the star of day naturally reminded me of its all-powerful Creator and of the Divine Sun of Justice. The absence of our Lord Jesus Christ, so sensibly felt at sea, was the subject of my morning meditation . , . The calm was partly welcome to us, inasmuch as it enabled us to carry out the order of the daily exercises. Meditation, prayer, study, and pious conversations about Wittem, America, and Europe, divided the time left us by the whims of the ocean. During the day I was engaged with 300 Appc7idix.

the treatise De Jure et Jnstitia, and at six in the evening I was present at the English class, which was given in the middle’of the vessel, by the faint light of a philosophical lamp, and often to the great hilarity of the officers, who heard us mur¬ dering their mother-tongue. . . . We left the English Channel under full sail, and for the last time cast our looks on the coasts of England and Europe. We were now floating over the abyss where the sounding-lead no longer finds bottom. . . . Several days of quiet sailing seemed to give promise of a pros¬ perous voyage. Alas ! we were soon undeceived.

On the 15th of February, at two P.M., we were assailed by a storm not less furious, if not quite so dangerous, than the other two. It came on from the south, and suddenly plunged us into darkness. The wind blew with such violence that it threatened to carry away our masts : it lashed the waves into foam, and changed them into a heavy rain, and furiously drove them on like so many rolling mountains. But the most sublime moment of the tempest is when, having reached its greatest degree of rage, it ceases suddenly, as if God placed his finger on its Appendix. 301

mouth : Spiritus procellarum qtice facmnt verbiim cjus. We have not yet witnessed this grand mo¬ ment. Thereupon there ensues an admirable alternation of restlessness and calm, of agitation and peace. Nature seems to breath anew. The sea no longer foams, the sails flap languidly, and the vessel is helplessly borne along by the waves. . . . The next morning daylight re¬ appeared, and with it the sun. At about nine o’clock Father Kittle and myself were walking on deck, when all at once we saw issuing from the hatchway that leads to the deck a scarlet- colored semi-circumference^ intersected by a blue radius. It was our little Frenchman wearing a red cap, and to which was attached a blue tas¬ sel. He had risen much earlier than usual, and probably even before having taken the soup which he regularly ordered to be brought to his bed. At his approach we placed ourselves in a state of observation, anxious to witness the is¬ sue of this early apparition ; it could certainly be nothing less than dramatic. And in fact he had not even reached the head of the stairs and had barely had time to rub his eyes, before he .darted down-stairs like a flash of lightning, and 302 Appendix. with all the power of his lungs called upon his wife to come and behold the rising of the sun. “ C’est magnifique, c’est sublime!” said he, continually ascending and descending the stairs ; “ venez done voir, c’est adorable!” He could not be- accused of having spoken before reflect¬ ing, because he had simply spoken before having seen. The king of the day had emerged from the regions of Aurora more than two hours be¬ fore. On the 19th, at midnight, a strong wind sprang up in the northwest, and favored our course. We made no less than ten or twelve knots an hour. Eight days of this kind of wind would have carried us to New York. This transitory moment of gladness awakened within us a spirit of conjecture.- Father Kittel would sing High Mass in New York on the 2d of March. I chose the 5th, Ash-Wednesday. Father Bernard had declared in Paris that it would not take place before the Feast of Saint Joseph, and Father Giesen for the 25th. The votes of the others were uncertain. Father Bernard was pleased to repeat these words of Jonas : Adhuc qtiadraginia dies; but Father Muller ingenuously replied, Appeiidix. 303

Abbreviabiintur propter electos. It will be seen in the sequel which of us possessed most of the prophetic spirit. Unfortunately, the hope of a more prosperous voyage was once more to vanish. Even on the very next day those who had entertained the brightest hopes were forced to relinquish them. The wind had died out, and the calm brought with it a numerous and pleasant company in the midst of the ocean. More than fifty porpoises surrounded our vessel and indulged in their sports. When they plung¬ ed into the water, a fin was visible on their large backs, which was similar to a triangular sail. But this time we were not amused by the little Frenchman; the professor from Auvergne, who had broken off friendship with his messmate, and now cooked for himself, took his place. He was a man of extreme good-nature. His kind heart impelled him to look for some crumbs of biscuit wherewith to feed those greedy monsters. It is generally said that their appearance is a sign of bad weather; they, however, brought us a good south wind, and towards evening, when our sails began to fill, they followed the vessel for some time, as if to serve as our guard of honor. 304 Appcndix

On the 22d a furious west wind opened an¬ other period of our voyage not less disastrous than that of the British Channel. The only dif¬ ference consisted in not being exposed to the danger of being driven on the shoals. One squall succeeded the other, and during eight days of painful navigation we barely advanced one day’s voyage. These were perhaps the most calamitous days of our voyage. But the rock¬ ing of the ship was not as prejudicial to us as it had been before. We began to become ac¬ customed to a seafaring life, and, after thirty days, the nauseous malady had disappeared al¬ most entirely. We laughed about it just as men laugh at past dangers that are no longer to be dreaded. On the 1st of March, although the wind had subsided somewhat, the rain still pre¬ vented us from walking on a deck of 168 feet in length and 28 in width. For the first time since our departure from the Downs we had fair wind, and the following day, March 2, being the Sunday preceding Ash-Wed- nesday, we had passed over one-half of our course. It was just the day upon which Father Kittel had promised himself the happiness of singing Appendix. 305

High Mass in New York. But if it was not allow¬ ed us to celebrate the Holy Mysteries on “ the- day that the Lord hath made,” pious and con¬ soling recollections were inscribed on our memo¬ ries in a very particular manner. We remem¬ bered that at the dawn of this very Sunday the Most Blessed Sacrament was exposed at Wittem to appease the anger of God during these days of riotous amusements; and, being occupied with this thought, we united ourselves in spirit to the fervent adoration of our con¬ freres. Our spirits were in your spirits, our hearts in your hearts. We received Holy Communion, we celebrated Mass, in union with you ; we took our turn together with you to prostrate our¬ selves at the feet of our Sweet Jesus. Oh ! how lovely is the bond of charity, how sweet it be¬ comes, how consoling, when it unites hearts in Jesus Christ, even beyond the seas! The more it is extended, the more is it strengthened and purified. Yes, my brothers, my dearly-beloved brothers, if I am unable to restrain my tears in tracing these lines, it is because, if ever I i-oved you, I love you to-day more than ever, and it is to Jesus 1 owe the happiness of loving you in him. 3o6 Appendix.

I would wish to finish here the narration of the transitory things of this life, to converse with you on the infinite amiableness of our sweet Sa¬ viour Jesus, who procures for us this inestimable blessing of loving one another in him, were it not that the sweet duty of charity is not incom¬ patible with the thought of Jesus Christ. I will, therefore, continue for the love of him and of you. In the evening of this sacred day the north wind offered us the spectacle of an aurora borealis; but, to oui great regret, it was not suffi¬ ciently distinct. The two succeeding days were days of still more fervent and assiduous prayer at Wittem. They were also the two happiest days we spent at sea. The wind, beautiful weather, the sea, all prospered our course on these days of benediction. While (on Ash-Wednesday) these different events sweetened the annoyance of the calm, a gust of wind that had by degrees sprung up in the north drove us from the deck; and on the following morning we experienced the heaviest storm to which we had as yet been exposed. When a tempest comes from the north, it rages with perfect madness. The waves no longer Appendix. 307 rise; they are stretched out like a vast plain, and bend under the gusts of wind that weigh on them. The sea appears oppressed; it moans under the lashes of the icy, northern blasts, and in its impotent frenzy manifests its rage by thick foam, which covers it throughout its entire extent. The vessel shudders and trembles on the disturbed waters like a child under the hand of a furious master. Only two sails were left, and of these the main-sail was already rent, or rather cut in two from top to bottom. The sailors are much to be pitied during such frightful weather. Besides the bitter frost, which benumbs their limbs, the sails, the rigging, the ship’s ladders, are all covered with ice, and consequently be¬ come entirely unmanageable. At four o’clock in the afternoon the storm had almost subsided, but it was followed by extremely cold weather, which continued for more than eight days. This new but unwelcome guest was also to be added to our maritime miseries; the increase of our wants also increased the occasions for Father Giesen ta exercise the zeal of his active charity. We could not succeed in lighting a fire; the stove smok¬ ed continually. Seeing us in this predicament. 3o8 Appendix.

good Father Giesen brought out all the resources of his inventive mind in order to succeed ; and after a thousand physical, chemical, and atmos¬ pherical experiments, he succeeded so well that Father Bernard engaged him to write a treat¬ ise on the manner of lighting a fire. It matters very little how, but at last we had a warm stove. We all laughed; but then, too, we all warmed ourselves. After the frost, snow, rain, and hail; after calm) rocks, apd storms, we thought we had well-nigh emptied the cup of marine vicissitudes. We were now only about six hundred miles from New York, and drawing near the sand-banks that bor¬ der on the shores of America. We were confi¬ dent, of arriving there soon without encountering further dangers. But once more did we vainly flatter ourselves with deceitful hopes. An enemy far more formidable than the coasts of England awaited us: on the morning of the seventh we suddenly found ourselves in the midst of ice¬ bergs. It was a thing unheard of at this season of the year; they are never seen in these lati¬ tudes except in the months of May and June. The idea which I had formed of these gigantic Appendix. 30Q

masses was far below the reality. ' The first ice¬ berg we perceived appeared like a formidable giant, although it was distant from us more than six geographical miles. The dazzling whiteness of its rugged summit was reflected in a beautiful manner on the azure background of the horizon. It rose to a height of more than eighty feet above the water, and its base was more than one hundred and twenty feet in diameter; it might have been called a church of enormous size. The jagged sides of these floating mountains are sometimes furrowed by narrow but very deep fissures, similar to a rock cleft asunder by a thunderbolt. The rays of the sun are doubly magnificent when reflected in a mirror of this sort. However, these beautiful children of the north, • wonderful though they be, were rather uncomfortable neighbors, and might at any mo¬ ment become disastrous to us. In a short time we saw ourselves surrounded by them, and were forced to depart from our desirable course for more than four hours. This tacking of the ship extricated us from the danger for the moment ; but on the next day we came up with icebergs still more numerous than those of the evening 310 Appendix,

previous. But the finger of God, wno protected us, had marked out for them the bounds which they were not to overstep. An opening was left in the middle, and we were enabled to continue our route until late at night without any notable accident. On the ninth of March we were out of their reach. In passing the shores of Newfound¬ land, which are near the American coast, we saw a large flock of marine ducks, that plunged into the water with remarkable dexterity, and reappeared only after twenty or thirty minutes. A large flock of European swallows, which had escorted the vessel until the 1st of March, was now replaced by a legion of American swallows. We were advancing continually; but from the time we left the icebergs the change in the temperature was truly singular. Such a strange alternation of good and bad weather took place every instant that we could no more rely on fair wind whenever we had it than despair when¬ ever it was unfavorable. The sailors, and above all the naval officers, whose supersti¬ tion or impiety increases in proportion to their good or ill success, could not help attributing Appendix. 311

all the difficulties and misfortunes of the voy¬ age to our presence on the vessel. It is a generally-accepted proverb among sailors that the presence of priests and women always proves disadvantageous to their voyages. And, in fact, the young American of whom I spoke in the beginning informed us of this on the very first day. “ We will have a bad voyage,” he said to us, without intending the compli¬ ment ; “ we will have a long and perilous voy¬ age, because the devil will set heaven and the ocean in motion in order to prevent us from arriving in due time.” Father de Landtsheer, moreover, assured us that this conviction is so strong in the minds of Englishmen that, for this reason alone, they often refuse to take Catholic priests on board. We did not require this assurance, because what passed under our own eyes was a convincing proof of the fact. The second mate asserted that there was a Jonas on the vessel, who ought to be thrown overboard. The boatswain himself went still further, and with a mien partly jocose, partly serious, said that this Jonas could be none other than that big, merry fellow who walked 312 Appendix. to and fro on deck during the night like a ghost. This was no one else than good Father Giesen—the scape-goat of Israel amongst us, Jonas among the sailors! The boatswain also affirmed that whenever Father Giesen looked at the compass, the wind was changed, however fair it might be at the time. He was so firmly convinced of this that he actually hid the needle in order to conceal it from the gaze of Jonas. How much must not be believed if a man does not wish to -believe what ought to be believed! Notwithstanding his super¬ stition, this good man was not indifferent in matters of religion. ide sought for the truth in all sincerity; he conversed several times with Father Hecker, who left him in a fair way of being converted to the Catholic faith. But although Jonas no longer looked at the compass, the state of affairs remained unchang¬ ed. At length, on the 15th, the wind blew steadily from the northeast. It gently wafted

us towards the west, when, at ten A.M., we per¬ ceived, at a distance of more than four miles, an English vessel sailing in the same direc¬ tion. She reached us at four in the afternoon. Appendix, 3^3

All the passengers thronged to the deck. It was generally thought that she came to ask for provisions; but all were deceived. The cap¬ tain of the vessel and his discouraged sailors simply sought the’ consolation of communicat¬ ing to their brother sailors their reverses and misfortunes. They had left London on the 2ist of December, bound for Boston, and it was already the eighty-fourth day they were sailing about on the ocean, which was stormy all of this time. The news of such a disaster was unquestionably calculated to console us, and caused us to render fervent thanks to God for the special protection with which he had favored us. I may be Excused for remarking en passant that this vessel had neither priests nor women on board ; she was a merchant ship. . , . After this interview, which was sad and at the same time cheering, we retired to our convejit with more courage and hope , but it would seem that heaven had granted us this respite only to prepare us for another trial. The next morning, at four o’clock, a storm burst upon our heads, and the lightning rent the sky. Happily, it was not of long duration. 314 Appendix.

The gathering clouds were quickly dispersed, and a heavy rain restored peace to nature. On the same day, at eleven P.M., a second storm, as pacific as the first, arose, and was dispelled in the same way. Time passed on ; we made scarcely any progress, and the store of pro¬ visions was fast being consumed. Several emigrant families had exhausted their stock eight days before; the sailors were in want of tobacco, their second soul after whiskey; it was a long time since we last saw any fruit ; the supply of sugar failed ; and on the i6th we were told that there was no more butter. There was only a small quantity of meat left, and we were still more thanTour hundred miles from New York. With all this, the Feast of Saint Joseph was at hand ; the wind was sluggish, and it is said that even the best sailing vessel never makes more than twelve knots an hour. A kind of miracle was required to bring us to port by Wednesday. Our confidence was en¬ tirely gone, when, contrary to all expectation, a fair wind sprang up on the night of the i6th. On the 17th we were sailing at the rate of nine or ten knots an hour. If the wind would Appendix, 315 be steady for twenty-four hours more we would land in New York at the end of that time. We did not dare to raise our hopes to such a height, because past experience had taught us to be more moderate in our expec¬ tations. But our holy Protector had taken our cause into his hands. On the i8th the wind became so violent that it was found necessary to furl the sails. It was feared that we would arrive too soon, and the captain dreaded to enter the harbor at night. But all his efforts to slacken the impetuous course of the ship were unavailing; and with only one half-sail we progressed more rapidly than we did be¬ fore with sixteen or eighteen sail spread. On the morning of the 19th the fair wind had died out; but we now beheld the shores and the mountains of the New World, lit up in the distance by the first rays of the rising sun. At the sight of this blessed land, to which we had been anxiously looking forward for fifty-two days, for the sake of which we had undergone all the dangers of the sea, an unspeakable feel¬ ing of gratitude and joy took possession of our hearts. We were near the end of what is called 3i6 Appendix. the great sacrifice, the prelude of so many others, that will be much longer, more painful, but at the same time more meritorious; and in the strength which God gave us to make the first we discerned a certain pledge of the suc¬ cor which he will not fail to give us to ac¬ complish the other sacrifices. Such are the ways of the God of mercy and of love towards men. He lowers himself to such a degree as to ask their consent, and then does all himself. Everything w^as propitious to us on the day chosen by Saint Joseph to lead us into port. The weather was magnificent; the sun, the clouds, the azure sky, never appeared to me so beautiful in Europe. VVe spent almost the entire day on deck, in order to contemplate at leisure, or rather to devour with our eyes, the shores, smiling with the verdure of spring, and the hills, covered from base to summit with dense forests. We were gently moving towards New York, when the falling shades of night compelled us to cast anchor at the entrance to the harbor. At dawn of the following day the anchor was weighed ; all the sails were spread, and under a serene sky we entered the immense basin called Appendix. 317

the Lower Bay. By one o’clock we arrived at the interior harbor. Here the wind opposed our course, and we were once more obliged to cast anchor to await the coming of a tug-boat. This circumstance caused a kind of revolt to break out among the emigrants. They longed to be in New York, and sought an occasion for mutiny under pretext of the want of provisions. They even signed a paper, by which they pledged themselves to throw the captain overboard, for having refused to accept the services of a tug early in the morning. The Garibaldians were at the head of the plot, and were agreed among themselves that all the cur6s of the first cabin should be added to. the list of their intended vic¬ tims. More than fifty of the mutineers had col¬ lected on the deck, awaiting the captain, when the boatswain came up to them. He ordered them to retire; instead of replying, they seized him by the throat, and would have thrown him into the sea, if his truly herculean strength and vigorous courage had not delivered him from their grasp. He seized a pulley lying close at hand, and with the first blow caused the blood of a Swiss who had attacked him to gush forth. 318 Appendix,

Upon seeing this the rest of the cowardly band beat a precipitate retreat. A steamer, which came to take us in tow, re-established peace and order. Under the rays of a most beautiful sun, at two o’clock, we entered the interior harbor. But here, my brothers, I invite those of you who would wish to form an idea of this magnifi¬ cent panorama to come and behold with your own eyes. It is impossible to describe the three great cities, the numberless and crowded houses of which adorn the three eminences formed by two large rivers, down to the border of the sea. The two rivers themselves, that might be taken for floating forests, surpass all conception, and present a picture of activity and industry which my feeble pen would in vain attempt to sketch. At four o’clock we arrived at Quarantine, where the physician who inspected the vessel informed us of the arrival of two of our confreres. Father Joseph Muller, Rector at New York, and Father Minister. They were transported with greater joy at seeing us than we at our safe arrival; they had given us up for lost. All the vessels that had left .from Havre eight, ten, and even fifteen days after us had been already in the Appendix. 319 harbor, and the Helvetia had not made her ap¬ pearance ! The good fathers were in dread lest another evil had befallen us, not less fatal than shipwreck—that is, typhoid fever. Only a few days before this terrible disease suddenly broke out among the passengers of an English vessel that had sailed from Liverpool. Ca¬ lamities of this kind were well calculated to convince us of the special protection with which God had favored us during our tedious voyage. Father Bernard did not cease to repeat that, con¬ sidering the rough season, our voyage had been a prosperous, nay, a very prosperous, one. Now, my brothers, having asked you to pray for us, we also beg you to say a prayer of thanksgiving, in order to aid us to liquidate our debts to God. . . . Just as we were leaving Quaran¬ tine we saw a small steamer apparently coming towards us. It soon reached us; there were on it our old friend McMaster and the two bro¬ thers of Father Hecker, who, having received intelligence by telegraph of our arrival, had en¬ gaged a steamer to accompany us. At length we reached the end of our pilgrimage. At half¬ past five o’clock in the evening we disembarked, 320 Appendix. and Providence decreed that, without my know¬ ledge, I should be the first to place my foot on American soil. We joyfully quitted the Helvetia^ which, like ourselves, had now cross¬ ed the Atlantic for the first time. May it please God frequently to people with evangeli¬ cal laborers the little rooms which w^e were the first to occupy, and converted by us, so to speak, into so many little cloisters! May the image of our good Mother Mary which we placed on the wall frequently receive the hom¬ age of the hearts whom she will have engaged to devote themselves to the salvation of aban¬ doned souls ! We had to pass through almost the entire length of New York before arriving at the convent of our fathers. Let it suffice for me to tell you the observance which I have found here far exceeded my most sanguine ex¬ pectations. The community of New York is a little Wittem in point of regularity. I will say nothing of the piety of Americans, since I have not as 'yet been able to become acquainted with it; but yesterday the church was filled almost entirely in the morning, and entirely so at the evening sermon. The concourse of people Appendix, 321

greatly affected me, and, being penetrated with a lively sentiment of gratffude for my precious vocation, I cannot refrain from exclaiming with the . holy King David : Ftmes cecidertmt mihi m praeclaris; etenim haereditas me a praeclara est mihi! . . . We remain here at present, awaiting our destination. Father Bernard will leave this evening for Baltimore, and take with him the two novices and Father Stiessberger. Father Hecker will probably remain in New York; it is believed that the house of studies will be in Cumberland. Such, my dear brothers in Jesus Christ, are the lines dictated to me by charity, which your kindness will have the patience to read. It is not necessary for me to crave your indulgence for the style of a letter written at sea, and often¬ times during the storms. I must reserve my ex¬ cuses for an object more worthy of my regrets and your indulgent charity. I profit by this first occasion to ask of all my confreres in general, and of my venerated superiors in particular, par-^ don for the frequent failings of which I was guilty towards them during the seven years in which I enjoyed their inappreciable favors. I 322 Appendix,

thank each and every one of them from the bot¬ tom of my heart. I thank you most especially, Rev. Father Rector and Father Prefect, for the unceasing care you took of my own poor self. . . . If, then, my dearest brothers, whom I embrace at this moment, after having received so many favors at Wittem, I am still permitted to ask for more, ask of Jesus and of Mary, for myself and my companions, that we may never be of the number of those unfortunate ones who, after having crossed the seas, labor much, but neglect themselves, and at the hour of death find their hands void of virtues and merits. Feeling assured that you will not refuse this petition of charity, I remain for ever, Very Rev¬ erend Father and dear confreres in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Alphonsus, your most affectionate and devoted servant and brother, L. M. Bold, C.SS.R.

Dear Father Rector: As you see from the enclosed letter, our young men are at the height of joy. I alone prove an exception. Scarcely had I landed when a letter was handed to me. A ppendix. 323 announcing the death of my good mother, which took place on the third day after my departure from Havre, at the precise moment when my own life was endangered. Imagine my feelings. . . . Well, God has willed it. I adore his holy will, and bow to it in silence. I beg your reverence not to forget this beloved mother, and to recommend her soul to the pious remem¬ brances of your community. She was truly a benefactress of our Congregation. Adieu, dear father. Pray for your devoted

Father Bernard.

New York March 22, 1851.

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